Smithsonian reviews policy after rental 'mistake'
WASHINGTON - 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.
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Information from: The Washington Post, http://www.washingtonpost.com
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