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Rights Foe Invokes 9-11 To Condemn Critics
by 365Gay.com Newscenter Staff
Posted: September 11, 2007 - 7:00 pm ET
(Portland, Oregon) Oregon anti-gay activist David
Crowe has called an
elections complaint against his group "Oregon's Own 9-11" and "an
attack within our borders."
Crowe made the remarks in an email to supporters
Tuesday in which he fired back at a longtime activist for "clean
elections" in Oregon who last week asked Oregon's Secretary of State to
investigate Crowe's group "Concerned Oregonians" and another organization
for the way they were soliciting funds for a voter initiative to repeal two
state LGBT civil rights laws.
"This comparison is incredibly disrespectful not only to the mourning of
our nation but to the families of those who died and to those who fought so hard
to saves lives at Ground Zero," said John Hummel, Executive Director of Basic Rights
Oregon, the state's largest LGBT rights group.
"For David Crowe to
compare his own self-inflicted legal troubles to the events of 9/11 is beyond
comprehension, purely reprehensible and downright bizarre."
In an e-mail with the subject line "Defaming To Destroy: Oregon's Own
9-11," Crowe complains of a
"September Day of Infamy" occasioned by the elections complaint.
The
complaint, filed last week by ballot watchdog Ellen Lowe, alleges that Concerned
Oregonians is violating the law by soliciting campaign donations while
unlawfully promising donors that they are eligible for a "dollar for
dollar" political tax credit. (story)
The Secretary of State's office has said that it plans
to investigate the complaint.
Crowe's email also singled out a Eugene pastor who has alerted other
churches to the complaint.
Rev. Dr. Dan Bryant, of First Christian Church in
Eugene, sent a letter to 3,000 pastors last week sharing his concerns about the
group.
Crowe's email says that Rev. Bryant is "part of a cabal that begins
with the Governor, extends through Basic Rights Oregon, the law firm of Smith,
Diamond and Olney, and into 'ecumenical' church leadership in Oregon."
"This bizarre attack only reinforces my deep concern about these groups
that are trying to use our churches for their campaign purposes," Rev. Dr.
Bryant said today. "
If you disagree with them on any issue or question
their methods, they come after you with absurd claims and malicious
accusations."
To put a repeal issue on the
ballot the signatures of 55,179 registered voters are
required.
One of the laws the groups seek
to overturn is a partnership law that grants rights,
responsibilities and protections afforded to other Oregon
couples and their families currently only available through a
marriage contract in Oregon. It would be open to both same and
opposite-sex couples.
The other law would amend the
state's non-discrimination laws to prohibit discrimination
based on sexual orientation in housing, employment, public
accommodation, education and public services statewide.
The two pieces of legislation
were signed into law May 9 by Gov. Ted Kulongoski and are to
take effect January 1. If the repeal groups should gather
enough signatures to force a vote the laws would be put on
hold until after next November's election.
©365Gay.com 2007
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