More than a dozen groups gathered outside the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., today to voice disapproval of the hate-crimes law that recently was signed by President Barack Obama.
The Rally for Religious Free Speech came after the groups handed a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, calling the new law unconstitutional. The law provides special protection based on a victim's sexual orientation or gender identity.
Gary Cass, president and CEO of the Christian Anti-Defamation Commission, said pastors who preach from the Bible could be held accountable if someone hears their sermon and then commits a crime against a gay-identified individual.
"It puts the burden on the minister to have to read the minds of the people that are listening to him and be able to predict the future," he said. "It has a very chilling effect on the minister's speech, because the safest thing is to just say nothing."
The Family Research Council, Americans for Truth and the Liberty Counsel were among the groups at the rally.
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— Nima Reza
