Date: Thu, 29 Jan 98 19:30:56 EST From: "NGLTF" Subject: NGLTF Deplores Recent Blasts NATIONAL GAY AND LESBIAN TASK FORCE PRESS RELEASE Contact: Mark F. Johnson, Media Director mfjohnson@ngltf.org 202/332-6483 x3314 pager 1-800-757-6476 2320 17th Street NW, Washington, DC 20009 http://www.ngltf.org ................................................ NGLTF DEPLORES RECENT EXPLOSIONS IN THE SOUTH; URGES CLINTON AND RENO TO INVESTIGATE AS HATE CRIMES WASHINGTON, DC---January 29, 1998---The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) today urged President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno to look into two separate explosions in the south that occurred this week. The first explosion rocked a black-owned newspaper in Jackson, Mississippi and the second one, earlier today, ripped through a women's health clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. Today's explosion killed one person. "I am concerned that these incidents are more examples of the kind of deadly hate violence we have seen in the south over the past two years," said NGLTF Executive Director Kerry Lobel. Two years ago there was a bombing at Centennial Park in Atlanta during the 1996 Olympics and last year both a lesbian bar and a women's health clinic were bombed in Atlanta. At the same time, African-American churches in the south were destroyed by arson. "The President recently completed a day-long hate crimes summit at the White House last fall. At the summit, he renewed his commitment to addressing bias crimes. Today, I call upon the Administration to vigorously investigate these heinous acts and let those who would continue to bring a rein of terror on their neighbors because of differences in race, religion, gender, sexual orientation or exercising of reproductive rights know that there is nowhere to run and nowhere to hide." At the White House summit Lobel presented Clinton with over 700 petitions signed by members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered community throughout the country condemning hate violence. She also urged the President to speak out more forcefully against hate crimes and to support legislative proposals to ensure that federal officials have the necessary tools to prosecute bias crimes. In addition, she called for the adequate training of law enforcement officials. -30- The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force has worked to eliminate prejudice, violence and injustice against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people at the local, state and national level since its inception in 1973. As part of a broader social justice movement for freedom, justice and equality, NGLTF is creating a world that respects and celebrates the diversity of human expression and identity where all people may fully participate in society. _________________________________________ This message was issued by the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Media Department. If you have any questions regarding this post, please direct them to one of the contacts at the top of this message If you wish to UNSUBSCRIBE from this list, please send an email with "UNSUBSCRIBE PRESSLIST" in the subject and body of your email message to .