Monday, April 27, 2009

Take Action: Let Your Representatives Know You Support Hate Crimes Legislation!


Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee debated amendments to the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act - H.R. 1913. Fortunately, amendments that would have stripped the bill of its meaning and power were defeated, but we still have a battle before us in the coming weeks. As you know, the bill would give the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence by providing the department with jurisdiction over crimes of violence where the victim is chosen because of their actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.

When introducing the bill, Representative Conyers stated that the legislation "provides a constructive and measured response to a problem that continues to plague our nation. These are crimes that shock and shame our national conscience. They should be subject to comprehensive federal law enforcement assistance and prosecution."

Write your Representative today and share your support!

Representatives need to know you support HR 1913 as they plan to vote on the bill. We urge you to email them now and encourage them to support this critical legislation as they prepare to vote. Our opposition continues to barrage representatives with messages of fear and hate - please take advantage of this time to reach out to their representatives and show your support.

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