Associated Press: Ypsilanti pastor among three seeking to have hate crime law declared unconstitutional

Posted on Tue, Feb 2, 2010 : 3:40 p.m.

An Ypsilanti pastor is one of three Michigan pastors who claim a new hate crime law infringes on their First Amendment rights and should be declared unconstitutional.

The pastors, including Levon Yuille (YOOL) of Ypsilanti, filed a lawsuit Tuesday to try to strike down a portion of the federal law, which was signed last fall.

The law expands federal hate crimes to those committed against people because of sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. The pastors believe they could be targeted for their sermons against gay lifestyles.

But supporters of the law say it's aimed at acts of violence, not speech by clergy.

The other pastors are Jim Combs of Waterford and Rene Ouellette (oo-LET') of Bridgeport. A fourth plaintiff is Gary Glenn, head of the American Family Association of Michigan.

The lawsuit is in federal court in Bay City.

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