As you watch this, bear in mind that each of these individuals knows perfectly well they’re not telling the truth (video: Family Research Council at YouTube)
Before you even think of clicking start, read Section 10 of the federal hate crimes bill – S.909, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (aka The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act). It unequivocally states:
Nothing in this Act, or the amendments made by this Act, shall be construed to prohibit any expressive conduct protected from legal prohibition by, or any activities protected by the free speech or free exercise clauses of, the First Amendment to the Constitution.
What that means is quite simple. Absolutely nothing said by these representatives of the radical religious right in the video above is true. Nothing. Not one word. Nada. Zip. Zilch.
What that means is, because the federal hate crimes bill could come to a vote in the US Senate as early as tomorrow, and President Obama is ready to sign it, and the opposition’s constituents are hitting the phones and firing off emails, you need to get on the phone ASAP and call your US Senator. The process is simple and takes only about five minutes of your time:
- Call the Senate Switchboard: 202.224.3121 and tell the operator you would like to speak to the Senator from your state.
- Tell the person who answers the phone that you are a constituent and are calling to urge the Senator to vote for the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (bill number S.909).
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 to reach your other Senator.
Then, call or email your friends and ask them to do the same thing.
You can follow along at the Human Rights Campaign’s blog. HRC Back Story is providing coverage and action opportunities as the US Senate considers the hate crimes bill as an amendment to the Department of Defense Authorization Act.
You can also follow along on Twitter: #FightHateNow
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