Anti-Muslim Rhetoric: Free Speech or Hate Speech?

 

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"It was a very heartening conversation, they were very responsive, they took it to heart, they realize that much of what they have been doing so well the nation doesn't know about, and that this is a moment that requires more intensity on their part, as well as on ours, so we found it to be a very productive meeting," said Rabbi David Saperstein of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism.

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Still, the leaders admit that combating the spate of hate starts at the local level and is not the sole responsibility of the Obama administration.

"The Justice Department, local law enforcement officials can address the crimes of hate violence, hate crimes, but it's up to local citizens like us, and local community leaders like us to see that we begin to tone down the rhetoric and speak to each other with civility and mutual respect, or we're going to see some already sick minds made even more sick and a level of violence that we can't clean up after it's done," Gaddy said.

The Justice Department has not yet responded to an ABC News request seeking comment.