People For the American Way Executive Vice President Marge Baker issued the following statement:

Earlier today at the confirmation hearing of Judge Sonia Sotomayor, Senator Orrin Hatch shared a rumor he had heard:

“There’s a rumor that People for the American Way, that these people have been smearing Frank Ricci, because he may be willing to be a witness in these proceedings. I hope that’s not true.”

It’s not true. With all due respect to Senator Hatch, he’s attacking a straw man. It is not a smear to point out than an individual used the law to protect his interests. It’s time to get past this distraction and have an honest discussion about the importance of anti-discrimination laws for all people.

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