Why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group

Why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church as a hate group
Orlando Sentinel
Jeff Kunerth
July 8, 2013

Religion News Service reporter Corrie Mitchell writes about why the White House can't list Westboro Baptist Church a hate group:

WASHINGTON (RNS) In response to five “We the People” petitions, the White House condemned the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church but said it is powerless to list the Kansas church as a hate group and remove its tax-exempt status.

The White House response said the federal government does not maintain a list of hate groups, instead leaving that task to private organizations, such as the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center. Both have called Westboro a hate group.

Westboro Baptist Church, based in Topeka, Kan., is best known for its graphic “God Hates Fags” signs and its continued picketing of military funerals.

All “We the People” petitions that reach 100,000 signatures within 30 days receive a response from the White House. The White House can also choose to respond to petitions with fewer signatures.
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