Arizona senator defends SB 1062 on ‘AC360’
Feb 24, 2014, 6:59 PM | Updated: Feb 25, 2014, 12:48 am
PHOENIX — While three Arizona senators who voted in favor of SB 1062 have now asked Gov. Jan Brewer to veto it, Arizona Sen. Al Melvin is still in favor of the bill.
Melvin joined “Anderson Cooper 360” for an interview Monday, who maintained the bill was in favor of religious freedom and not specifically anti-gay legislature.
When Cooper brought up that sexual orientation is already not included in Arizona’s anti-discriminatory legislature, Melvin appeared to evade the answer and instead, responded
that the bill is a preemptive one, meant to protect religious freedom, not be a means of discrimination.
Melvin was then asked if he knew of any instances where people’s religious beliefs were “being under attack.” Melvin said he did not, but added, “How about tomorrow?”
After a bit more back and forth, the senator appeared to grow flustered and frustrated with Cooper’s line of questioning, before delivering a response about the “pillars of society” being under attack.
“All of the pillars of society are under attack in the United States: The family, the traditional family, traditional marriage, mainline churches, the Boy Scouts, you name it,” Melvin said.
