Statement from John Kerry on Hate Crime Committed in New Bedford, MA

[kerrygoddess]

Statement from John Kerry on Hate Crime Committed in New Bedford, MA

February 2nd, 2006 @ 3:03 pm
A teenager armed with a hatchet and handgun opened fire inside a gay bar in New Bedford, MA early Thursday, wounding at least three people. New Bedford police are investigating this as a hate crime.

A bartender at Puzzle Lounge told The Associated Press that the young man, dressed all in black, ordered a drink and asked if Puzzles was a gay bar. He finished his drink shortly after midnight, ordered another, then started attacking people, the bartender said. Three were hospitalized Thursday.

John Kerry released the following statement on the incidident:

“This tragedy must be a serious wake up call to anyone who pretends hate crimes don’t exist in America. Anyone who ever doubted that bigotry is still with us should think about the fact that just after midnight last night a man walked into a bar and attacked people with a hatchet, then opened fire with a handgun. He wanted to kill them for being who they are. That’s a hate crime, and that’s un-American.

MORE - http://blog.thedemocraticdaily.com/?p=1838

[Mass]

1. Terrible story - It was the first thing I heard this morning when I turned

the TV on.