NRB Calls for Action on HR 1592

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H.R. 1592 “Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007”

Hate Crimes Bill Could Muzzle Your Microphone

This week in the House of Representatives, the Judiciary Committee voted affirmatively on H.R. 1592 (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007) ? sending the bill on its way to a full vote on the Floor of the House of Representatives, which may occur as early as next week.

National Religious Broadcasters has opposed this bill, which is filled with dangers for Christian communicators (see the lead article in Inside NRB, April 19th). NRB President & CEO, Dr. Frank Wright has called this measure a “dagger aimed at the heart of free speech and free exercise of religion in America.” While an amendment was added to H.R. 1592 at the last moment to indicate that the bill was not intended to infringe upon the free speech/freedom of religion rights of Americans, that amendment will likely not save us from excessive, arbitrary enforcement of this law if it is passed. Liberal judges will have more than enough room to limit our rights under the First Amendment, particularly in light of the fact that this is a criminal statute. Further, that amendment will not rescue Christian broadcasters from the inevitable “Hate Speech” regulations that will most certainly follow if H.R. 1592 passes.

PLEASE URGE YOUR BROADCAST AUDIENCE TO CONTACT THEIR REPRESENTATIVES IN THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND URGE THEM TO VOTE AGAINST H.R. 1592 (THE “HATE CRIMES” BILL). CONTACT INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND AT WWW.HOUSE.GOV