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Pro-Family Leaders Question Double-Standard on Hate Crimes -- Homosexual Attackers Threaten More Violence against Illinois Christian School

Contact: Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth, 630-546-4439

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill., Oct. 20, 2011 /Christian Newswire/ -- A coalition of ministers and pro-family advocates is questioning the double-standard on "hate crimes" in the wake of an attack Saturday against Christian Liberty Academy (CLA) -- which was threatened with more violence if it continues to host conservative groups like Americans For Truth About Homosexuality (AFTAH).

    Press conference details:

    What: Press event to discuss "hate crimes" double-standard

    When: 12:30 PM, Thursday, October 20, 2011

    Where:  Christian Liberty Academy, 2nd floor chapel, 502 W. Euclid Ave., Arlington Heights, IL

    Who:  Matt Barber, Liberty Counsel and AFTAH Board Member; Pastor Calvin Lindstrom, Christian Liberty Academy; Peter LaBarbera, Americans For Truth About Homosexuality; Ralph Rivera, lobbyist, Illinois Family Institute; Pastor John Kirkwood, Grace Gospel Fellowship Church, Bensenville

Assailants threw two large paver bricks through the glass doors of CLA with a note, "This is just a sample of what we will do if you don't shut down Scott Lively and AFTAH." On a left-wing Chicago website, the alleged attackers took credit for the crime and wrote:

"These chunks of concrete were thrown through these windows and doors for two reasons: to show that there is a consequence for hatred and homophobia in our community and to directly cause this event to be shut down. If this event is not shut down, and the homophobic day trainings do not end, the Christian Liberty Academy will continue to be under constant attack."

Americans For Truth President Peter LaBarbera said, "Some in the media are calling this terrorist act 'vandalism,' which we doubt they would do if the situation were reversed and right-wing extremists threw two large bricks through the glass doors of a gay church."

"As conservatives we oppose the concept of 'hate crimes,' but since hate crimes laws are on the books they must be enforced even-handedly," LaBarbera said. “It is scandalous that a left-wing website post taking credit for this act of domestic terrorism -- and threatening more violence -- is still up and running."

Matt Barber of Liberty Counsel said hard-left groups like Gay Liberation Network create a "climate of hate" against Christians by demonizing them with vicious lies that equate the defense of Judeo-Christian morality with "hate."

"We will not compromise on God's truth. Neither will we be terrorized into silence," Barber said.