Reno pledges full investigations into church fires

Ministers press theory of conspiracy in fires at black churches

June 9, 1996
Web posted at: 9:55 p.m. EDT

From Correspondent Kathleen Koch

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- More than three dozen ministers and civil rights advocates met Sunday with Attorney General Janet Reno to discuss an 18-month string of suspicious fires at Southern churches with mostly black congregations.

And while the group offered prayers for what it sees as the enemy -- racial hatred -- politicians jockeyed against one another for the higher ground on the issue.

At the 90-minute meeting, Reno assured the ministers that the administration will devote whatever resources necessary to solve the crimes.

The ministers also asked for federal protection for their churches, and for more attention to their belief that the fires -- at 30 churches over the past 18 months -- are part of a broad conspiracy.

"We believe there is a connection between white supremacist groups, and that these are being perpetrated by many of these groups," said Rev. Joan Campbell, general secretary of the National Council of Churches (NCC). (81K AIFF or WAV sound)

The Justice Department, though, insists it is too soon to draw such a conclusion.

"What I have said is that these are open investigations," said Assistant Attorney General Deval Patrick. "And that no one is in a position to announce a conclusion about whether they are or are not linked." (113K AIFF or WAV sound)

Some of the ministers have complained that, too often, investigations at their churches have turned into interrogations.

"They feel that they are suspects," said Rev. Mack Charles Jones of the NCC. "Records are being subpoenaed. Folk asked to do polygraph tests. Churches told that every member will be investigated." (114K AIFF sound or 114K WAV sound)

The Justice Department promised more sensitivity, and a willingness to follow leads wherever they go.

The president, meanwhile, is feeling political heat for his last-minute backing of a bi-partisan bill co-sponsored by Republican Henry Hyde that would make it easier to prosecute church arsons in federal court. Republicans say the White House ignored that bill until Saturday.

"Henry Hyde in fact talked to me about how disappointed he was in their casual attitude," said House Republican leader Dick Armey. "Now we find the president yesterday ... jumpin' up and doing what he always does -- claiming credit for a Republican idea." (186K AIFF or WAV sound)

More than a searing reminder of fragile race relations in this country, the church fires may be a reminder of how everything seems to be political in an election year.

Related stories:

• Reno meets with ministers worried about church fires June 9, 1996
• Clinton sounds call to stop church burnings June 8, 1996
• List of black church fire investigations - June 8, 1996
• 'This was a set fire' - June 7, 1996
• Investigators sift through ashes of latest black church fire - June 4, 1996

Related sites:

• Southern Christian Leadership
• Federal Bureau of Investigation
• Fire and EMS Information Network
• Department of the Treasury: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms

Related newsgroup:

• bit.listserv.blues-L (Thread discusses church fires)

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