Equality Ohio Praises Senators Brown and Voinovich for Standing up Against Hate Crimes

Columbus, OH – Today the United States Senate passed the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Act by a final vote of 60-39. This measure would expand existing law to include hate crimes motivated by sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. Both Senator George Voinovich (R) and Senator Sherrod Brown (D) of Ohio voted yes on the measure. Contact: Bo Shuff,
Director of Education and Public Policy
614-325-8855 or bo@equalityohio.org

“Equality Ohio is thrilled that this piece of legislation has taken an historic step forward,” said Bo Shuff, Director of Education and Public Policy for Equality Ohio. “Our two senators, are united in their belief that all Americans deserve protection from crimes of hate and have taken a brave stand to do what is right. We know that as Ohio goes, so goes the nation, and we hope that President Bush will recognize the broad support for this bill and sign it into law.”

The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 provides federal funding and support to local law enforcement agencies who are investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. In addition, it removes the restrictions that previously made this funding available only to people engaged in a federally protected activity such as voting or going to school. The legislation is supported by twenty-six state attorneys general as well as 230 law enforcement, civil rights, civic and religious organizations.

“Keeping more Americans safe has brought together the broad coalition of support that made passage of this legislation possible.” said Lynne Bowman, Executive Director of Equality Ohio. “The Human Rights Campaign in particular is to be commended for the work they have done for the last ten years to get this bill to where it is today.”

Ohioans agree with the idea of keeping all Americans safe from fear and intimidation. In a survey conducted in November of 2006 by the Glengarrif Group, Ohio voters overwhelming supported hate crimes legislation. Sixty-one percent of Ohioans support a law that would classify crimes against people based on sexual orientation or real or perceived gender identity and expression as a hate crime.

Equality Ohio envisions an Ohio where everyone feels at home. On the web at www.equalityohio.org.

Photos from "Thank Ann Coulter!" Rally online

See all the photos on Equality Ohio's Flickr page

Coulter draws yawns, not jeers

Cincinnati Enquirer reports a dismal turnout for Coulter's speaking engagement at Xavier University, and highlights the celebratory rally to "Thank Ann!" nearby:

Exactly 1,273 people - many of them Xavier students, along with hundreds of others whose college days were decades behind them - filed into the Cintas Center for the 7 p.m. lecture.

Several hundred yards away, in front of Husman Hall, a coalition of liberal groups held a "Counter-Coulter" rally that drew about 200 people. It was aimed at celebrating the $26,000 raised on the Internet for six liberal campus groups - money donated by people who oppose Coulter's hard-right views.

"Thanks, Ann Coulter," read an enormous banner.

“Thank Ann Coulter” Rally Today to Celebrate Money Raised for Xavier University Progressives

Cincinnati, OH – A check presentation and celebratory rally takes place today on the Xavier University Greenspace at 7:00 p.m. at about the same time Ann Coulter is due to speak at the nearby Cintas Center.

A coalition waged a “Thank Ann Coulter” campaign for the past month to raise money – over $28,000 to date – for Xavier University progressive student groups that work for the causes Coulter regularly berates in her books and TV appearances.

“Today we take responsibility for creating the world we want to live in,” said Bo Shuff, Director of Education and Public Policy for Equality Ohio. “Today we rise above the blame game, the ranting, and the talking heads.”

Ann Coulter is reportedly being paid a $20,000 fee to speak; money raised by Xavier University College Republicans. That works out to about $5 for every Xavier student. Individuals in Ohio and across the nation donated to the “Counter Ann Coulter” Campaign, mostly in increments of just $5. The money raised will go to student groups like the Xavier Alliance, the Xavier Women’s Center, and the Black Student Association, among others.

“Xavier is a diverse and welcoming campus,” added Patrick McNearney, President of the Xavier Alliance. “This support will help us create programs and events that celebrate that part of Xavier. We are so excited to be a part of this effort.”

“When someone like Ann Coulter brings a message of division to Ohio, we want to empower people to look for the common good in all of us,” said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director of ProgressOhio.

Campaign website: http://counteranncoulter.blogspot.com/
On the web: http://www.equalityohio.org

Coulter Rally in Cincinnati Enquirer

The Cincinnati Enquirer ran a story about the $26,000 raised to date by the "Thank Ann!" campaign:

Ann Coulter’s speech at Xavier University Thursday night has excited both sides of the political spectrum.

The controversial political pundit will get paid about $20,000 for her speech at the Cintas Center, all of it raised privately. But she’s already earned more than that for Xavier students groups critical of her views.

The Xavier College Republicans hope to draw 3,000 people to the speech. Tickets are free for any college student with identification and $5 for the general public, chairman Chris Wimsatt says. XU is not contributing.

At the same time, opponents will hold a “Thank You Ann” rally in front of the student union just a few hundred yards away.

Wimsatt, a senior from Columbus, Ind., says the event is “pretty much the pinnacle of my career as a Xavier College Republican.”

“I’m going to take some of the credit for them raising their $30,000 or whatever they’ve raised,” he says. “I guess it’s the power of free speech.”