Conservative Groups seek to change hate crimes law (Pennsylvania)

[davidinalameda]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/05039/454339.stm

Two Pennsylvania-based conservative values groups, both of them critics of the "homosexual lifestyle," want to change the state's hate crime law, saying it discourages free speech and is being abused by the Philadelphia district attorney's office.

In so doing, the Pennsylvania branches of Concerned Women for America and the American Family Association are coming to the defense of Michael Marcavage, the 25-year-old Philadelphia evangelist arrested last autumn after preaching and protesting at an annual gay pride event called "OutFest."

Both groups say they wouldn't mind if the whole law was overturned, but both also say that they are pleased with the amendments, as sponsored by Rep. Tom Yewcic, D-Cambria. Yewcic is the same lawmaker who, along with several House colleagues, sued two gay men in an attempt to prevent them from obtaining a marriage license in Bucks County last year.

[progressiveBadger]

1. I'm going to scream

The hypocracy of these people has reached new levels of blatentness. Something very terrible must have happend to them as children to leave them such poor excuses for adults.

[murielm99]

2. Changing the law will make it open season on gays

in Pennsylvania. It will make it even more okay, in some people's minds, to assault and kill gays.

These people are getting more bold and hateful by the day. I worry about my gay brothers and sisters.

[RPM]

3. yes - lets do away with the whole law

especially religious based hate crimes - would be a shame if their church burnt....

:eyes:

assholes.

[Dark]

4. What did Michael Macarvage do, exactly?

Simply preaching his ignorant opinion should not be enough to charge him.

[dsc]

5. It does sound like the Philly DA went too far

I think eliminating protection for gays is nuts but that DA shouldn't have charged for mere refusual to leave a place.

[justin899]

6. Harassment isn't protected by the First Amendment n/t

[dsc]

8. He was already charged with refusing to leave

but the law requires a felony such as arson, battery, etc. From the sounds of it the preacher didn't engage in any of those. He should have been charged with his refusal to leave and that is it.

[xchrom]

7. conservative christians mean to do violence to gay folk.

this is how they get others to do their dirty work....
they stand in the pulpit or on the street corner -- spew hate -- and the next thing you know someone is dead.

do not misunderstand the message here -- it is violence based.