From: NGLTF@aol.com Date: Wed, 26 Jun 1996 18:40:36 -0400 Subject: NGLTF Press Release--NGLTF Applauds Passage of CAPA ****************************************** NGLTF 2320 17th ST NW Washington DC, 20009 (202) 332-6483 (202) 332-0207 fax (202) 332-6219 TTY Contact: Tracey Conaty (202) 332-6483 ext 3303 pager (800) 757-6476 ****************************************** NGLTF APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF CHURCH ARSON PREVENTION ACT EXPRESSES DISMAY AT PARTIAL REAUTHORIZATION OF HCSA Washington, D.C. -- June 26, 1996...The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) applauded the passage of the "Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996" today in the Senate. The measure would broaden the ability of the federal government to seek criminal penalties in cases involving vandalism or destruction of religious institutions. The bill also provides for a six year reauthorization of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act . The "Church Arson Prevention Act" is in response to increased crimes against religious institutions, especially black churches in the Southeast, in the past 18 months. According to federal officials, there have been 216 attacks against religious institutions - black churches and white churches, synagogues and mosques - since May 1990. Over half of these attacks have occurred since January 1995. Most disturbing, 78% of all suspicious church fires in the Southeast occurred at black churches. The six year reauthorization of the Hate Crime Statistics Act (HCSA) was a compromise move by the Senate to appease House leaders. The original Senate version of the HCSA bill called for permanent reauthorization of the landmark law, which the House failed to move onNGLT. HCSA, which expired at the end of 1995, was passed in 1990 and signed into law by President George Bush. It requires the Department of Justice to collect and publish annual statistics on crimes that manifest prejudice based on race, religion, sexual orientation and ethnic origin. Numerous civil rights groups have been advocating for permanent reauthorization of the act. Melinda Paras, NGLTF executive director, praised the Church Arson Prevention Act as it relates to the attacks on churches, particularly the recent slate of burnings of Black churches, but expressed dismay at the limited reauthorization period of the Hate Crime Statistics Act. Paras also denounced those responsible for the climate of "intolerance and hostility" that fosters attacks on black churches and other forms of hate violence. - more - The following statement can be attributed to Ms. Paras: The attacks on Black churches of the past 18 months are clearly acts of cowardice, whether they are based on racial or religious prejudice. While the crimes themselves must be denounced, it is also important to denounce those whose rhetoric perpetuates the climate of intolerance and hostility in which these crimes occur. In the past few years, Right-wing political extremists have increased their rhetoric of divisiveness and intolerance. Their campaigns against affirmative action, against immigrants, against gays and lesbians, and against single mothers create a climate that says it is okay to be intolerant of those who are different. While they clearly are not encouraging destruction of churches and other religious institutions, they do blame various groups - based on race, religion, ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation - for all the problems in our society. Not surprisingly, such scapegoating leads to an increase in intolerance - and violence. This rhetoric only perpetuates the hostile environment which allows a few cowardly individuals to believe it is okay to attack individuals or institutions that reflect views or beliefs different from their own. The legislation adopted by the Senate today also includes a six year reauthorization of the Hate Crimes Statistics Act. We are very saddened that in order to put reauthorization of HCSA on a fast track in the House, the Senate had to retreat from its original position supporting permanent reauthorization of the Act. How ironic that our elected officials battle the hate violence of church bombings while simultaneously refusing to give permanent life to such an important anti-hate crimes measure. While disappointed in the Senate's retreat, we appreciate their leadership, especially that of Senators Hatch and Simon, in trying to move forward this much needed legislation. The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force is the oldest national gay and lesbian group and is a progressive organization that has supported grassroots organizing and pioneered in national advocacy since 1973. Since its inception, NGLTF has been at the forefront of virtually every major initiative for lesbian and gay rights. In all its efforts, NGLTF helps to strengthen the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender movement at the state level while connecting these activities to a national vision for change. ###