Demand Hate Crimes Legislation

[and-justice-for-all]

The Senate is holding hearings for the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act of 2009 next week. Your Senators need to hear from you now!

Every hour of every day, at least one hate crime offense is committed somewhere in the United States. Of those attacked, it's estimated that at least 15% of hate crimes are related to a person's perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity. Click here to tell your Senators this is unacceptable: http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/hate_crimes/

The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act / Matthew Shepard Act gives the Justice Department the power to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence. It protects people based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability. Take action and let your Senators know this bill is important to you!
http://www.unionvoice.org/campaign/hate_crimes/

What's At Stake:
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) provides the Justice Department with the ability to aid state and local jurisdictions either by lending assistance or, where local authorities are unwilling or unable, by taking the lead in investigations and prosecutions of violent crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury that were motivated by bias. The LLEHCPA also makes grants available to state and local communities to combat violent crimes committed by juveniles, train law enforcement officers, or to assist in state and local investigations and prosecutions of bias motivated crimes.

Campaign Expiration Date:
December 22, 2009

Send a letter to the following decision maker(s):
Your Senators

Below is the sample letter:

Subject: Support federal hate crimes legislation

Dear ,

As a leader in my workplace and community, I'm writing today to strongly urge you to pass S. 909, a bill that will secure comprehensive hate crimes protections for Americans who are victims bias-motivated attacks.

Every hour of every day, at least one hate crime offense is committed somewhere in the United States. Of those attacked, it's estimated that at least 15% of hate crimes are related to a person's perceived or actual sexual orientation or gender identity.

I'm asking you to change all that by voting to pass comprehensive federal hate crimes legislation without delay.

Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,