Smithsonian reviews policy after rental ‘mistake’

Associated Press
Published: September 16, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - The Smithsonian Institution acknowledges it
mistakenly rented space to an advocacy group that one civil rights
organization calls a hate group.

The Federation for American Immigration Reform made a $5,000
donation to hold an event Tuesday night at the National Postal
Museum.

Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda St. Thomas says allowing the group
to use museum space violates a policy that bars partisan, political
groups. The Smithsonian did not cancel the event, though. St.
Thomas says it would be unfair to cancel because of a museum
staffer’s mistake.

FAIR spokesman Dustin Carnevale says the group is nonpartisan.
FAIR is currently holding a two-day lobbying effort in Washington
and advocates a temporary moratorium on all immigration.

The Southern Poverty Law Center has called FAIR a hate group.

http://www2.nbc13.com/vtm/news/local/ar ... ake/92477/