The conference was a really nice first step to addressing this issue. Although there was only a limited amount of time to prepare for the simulcast of the conference, Geddes and Lehrfeld said the meeting will be a starting point for future discussions. This is a good start. Representatives from area religious groups, gay and lesbian rights groups and African-American studies groups attended the broadcast of the teleconference. President Clinton and Vice President Gore used the conference, which was broadcast from George Washington University, as an opportunity to lash out at hate crimes.
Hate crimes are as pervasive as they are perverse.
They strike at the heart of what it means to be an American. In the end, if we do our part, we can make America one nation, undivided under God. He also backed legislation to broaden federal law beyond crimes committed against people on the basis of race, religion or national origin. We should do more. . . . All Americans deserve protection from hate.