ADF attorney expresses deep concerns over House passage of federal “hate crimes” law

re: "SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — An Alliance Defense Fund attorney who submitted a white paper to members of Congress regarding free speech concerns with H.R. 1592, the federal “hate crimes” legislation, again expressed serious concerns about the bill after its passage by the House of Representatives Thursday by a margin of 237–180. / “All violent crimes are ‘hate’ crimes,” said ADF Senior Counsel Glen Lavy. “All crime victims deserve equal justice and basic constitutional rights, but this bill creates a special class protection for certain individuals and a two-tiered justice system with second-class victims.” / In his white paper to Congress, Lavy pointed out that H.R. 1592 would criminalize thoughts, feelings, and beliefs (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4078). He asserted that the bill, as passed, has the potential of interfering with religious liberty and freedom of speech and creates additional risks for curtailing these constitutional rights in the future. / The Executive Office of the President issued a statement Thursday recommending that President Bush veto this legislation (www.telladf.org/news/story.aspx?cid=4109)..."...