Critics Dispute Attorney General’s Link Between Recent Killings, Push for Hate Crimes Bill
Washington, D.C. – Opponents of the federal hate crimes bill took exception to U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder’s comments today that several recent shootings demonstrate the need for the bill.
Holder pointed to the recent shootings of a soldier in Arkansas, an abortion doctor in Kansas and a security guard at the Holocaust Museum in Washington, D.C. He then said that, in order to stop such attacks, Congress should pass the hate crimes bill, which creates new federal crimes for violence based on characteristics of victims such as race, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and religion.
Critics of the hate crimes bill said Holder’s comments were off the mark. Brad Dacus, president of Pacific Justice Institute, testified before Congress two years ago in opposition to the legislation. Dacus noted, “If anything, the Attorney General’s comments demonstrate the delusion and deception of the hate crimes lobby. First, the bill would have done absolutely nothing to prevent any of these three tragic murders. More than anything else, the bill is a tool to advance gay and transgender rights, yet none of these killings had anything to do with sexual orientation. In fact, liberals in Congress rejected amendments that would have specifically extended the bill’s protections to members of the military. Second, as the Attorney General already admitted, the federal government is already involved in the investigations for each of these crimes. If convicted, every one of these murderers will spend the rest of their lives in prison under existing laws. The hate crimes bill accomplishes nothing except to intimidate and silence legitimate, peaceful opposition to the never-ending demands of gay and transsexual activists.”
The hate crimes bill has been passed by the House of Representatives and awaits action in the Senate, where it is speculated that it will be attached to another bill as an amendment. President Obama has pushed for the hate crimes bill and is expected to sign it into law, if and when it reaches his desk.
To sign a petition opposing the hate crimes bill, please visit www.pji.org.