Sen. Kennedy: Stop The Hate: Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act

[babylonsister]

From an e-mail:

Hate crimes are a form of domestic terrorism.

Those who commit hate crimes send a message of fear to the entire community that it's wrong to be different. Such crimes violate our country's most basic principles -- and we as a society must make it clear that these crimes will not be tolerated in the United States of America.

I have introduced the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) to strengthen our nation's hate crime laws, but I need your help to make sure this legislation passes. Tell me why this issue is important to you, and I will use your stories in my effort to fight for stronger hate crime laws:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/StopTheHate

Hate crimes are being committed in our country every day. According to the FBI, there were 9,000 hate crime victims in 2005. That's almost 25 Americans a day who are victimized because of their race, their religion, their sexual orientation, their ethnic background, their gender, their gender identity, or their disability.

A major part of the problem is that our country's current hate crime law is inadequate. Many hate crimes are not covered, and others are not prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Hate crimes based on race, religion or ethnic background are covered by the law -- but gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, and disability are not.

That's wrong. As a matter of conscience, we as a nation must make sure that all Americans are protected from such violence.

Maybe you or someone you know has been affected by a hate crime. Tell me your story, and help me make sure we've got the toughest possible hate crime laws on the books:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/StopTheHate

I first introduced a hate crimes reform bill in 1999, after the brutal murder of 21-year old college student Matthew Shepard because of his sexual orientation. Eight years later, we're still waiting for that bill to become law.

Fortunately, with our new Democratic majority in Congress and your help, we may not have to wait much longer.

This bipartisan proposal will expand the definition of hate crimes to include crimes based on gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, or disability. It will also enable the Justice Department to assist state and local law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. Finally, it will provide grants to help states and local governments meet the extraordinary expenses involved in hate crime cases.

These reforms will go a long way toward halting the poisonous effect of hate crimes on our society. By passing this legislation, we can send a clear message: that the American people want anyone who commits a hate crime to be punished.

Now that you know why I care so deeply about strengthening our laws against hate crimes, please tell me why the legislation is important to you as well:

http://www.democraticmajority.com/StopTheHate

Every American must be protected from being victimized because of who they are. This is a fundamental right of our society, and I won't rest until our laws honor this fundamental principle.

Sincerely,

Senator Edward M. Kennedy