Basic Rights Oregon Condemns 9/11 Comparison Made By Anti-Gay Petition Backers

Anti-discrimination group calls statements made by "Concerned Oregonians" bizarre and disgusting.

Photo courtesy: Basic Rights Oregon

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - John Hummel, Executive Director of Basic Rights Oregon, today condemned comments made by anti-gay activist David Crowe, who called an elections complaint against his group "Oregon's Own 9-11" and "an attack within our borders."

The complaint was filed last week against Crowe's group, "Concerned Oregonians" and another organization gathering signatures to force a vote on Oregon's new family fairness and anti-discrimination 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," Hummel said.

"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," Concerned Oregonians leader David 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. The Secretary of State has said that it plans to investigate the complaint.

Crowe's email also singled out a Eugene, OR 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."

Basic Rights Oregon will continue to closely monitor the petition process and still expects the referenda to qualify for the ballot. "We are are saddened these groups, which are so out of step with Oregonian values of fairness and basic decency, continue to push their extremist agenda," Hummel said.