tive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia, has recruited lawyers to challenge the statue. Rovenia Vaughan, the President of the Virginia State Conference of the N.A.A.C.P, said her group is studying the decision with the counsel to determine what steps to take. Virginia Attorney General, Randolph A. Beales promised an appeal, Cross burning with the intent to intimidate is a form of domestic terrorism, which is intolerable in a free society. Virginias statue is a constitutional issue, and we intend to carry the fight to the U.S. Supreme Court. Once our voices are heard, our officials will have the ammunition necessary to overturn the Virginia statue on cross burnings. Taking the necessary steps to ensure the safety of our families will make us feel more secure. It will also help children like the ones I spoke of earlier feel more assured about who they are. They will also feel protected. Eliminating hate crimes will promote peace. In conclusion, it is important for everyone to take a stand by writing your government officials. Protect your loved ones by putting an end to this hate crime and many others. Think about how you would feel if you woke up to a burning cross in your yard. Its an image that would be burned into your mind forever. Cross burning is thought of as being a thing of the past, but it is quite clear that it is a thing of the present. If we dont speak out now, it will be a thing of the future....
