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Support Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007

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Ian David Donating Member (1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore Wed Jul-18-07 12:35 PM
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Support Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007
Edited on Wed Jul-18-07 12:36 PM by IanDB1
Please feel free to use the letter provided. If you would like to personalize your email, we have provided some talking points to get you started.

HR 1592 strengthens existing federal hate crime laws in two ways: 1. The bill would eliminate a serious limitation on federal involvement under existing law – the requirement that a victim of a bias-motivated crime was attacked because he/she was engaged in a specified federally-protected activity, such as serving on a jury or attending public school. 2. Current law, 18 U.S.C. Sec. 245, authorizes federal involvement ONLY in those cases in which the victim was targeted because of race, color, religion, or national origin. The LLEEA would also authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Current federal law does not provide authority for involvement in these four categories of cases at all.

Click Here:
http://www.interfaithalliance.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=2576923&tr=y






As a constituent, and a person of faith and good will, I urge you to pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act of 2007 (H.R.1592).

Hate is neither a religious nor American value. The sacred scriptures of many different faith traditions speak with dramatic unanimity on the subject of hate. Crimes motivated by hatred or bigotry are an assault not only upon individual victims' freedoms, but also upon a belief that lies at the core of our diverse faith traditions. While we recognize that legislation alone cannot remove hatred from the hearts and minds of individuals, the LLEEA will serve as a crucial step in building a society where hate-motivated crimes are deemed intolerable.

Although we believe that state and local governments should continue to have the primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting hate crimes, an expanded federal role is necessary to ensure adequate and equitable response to these divisive crimes. The federal government must have authority to address those important cases in which local authorities are either unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute.

Every American should enjoy the strongest possible guarantee of freedom from attacks motivated by bigotry. Too many people, however, are victims of hate crimes, targeted because of their religion, race, or sexual orientation. I strongly support this comprehensive bill to cover all Americans.

Crimes motivated by hatred or bigotry are an assault not only upon individual victims' freedoms, but also upon a belief that lies at the core of our diverse faith traditions -- that every human being is endowed with dignity and worth. Hate and exclusion are neither religious nor democratic values.

I know that religion and government can work together to create an America in which diverse people are safe as well as free.

More:
http://www.interfaithalliance.org/siteapps/advocacy/ActionItem.aspx?c=8dJIIWMCE&b=2576923&tr=y
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