Washington DC | March 21, 2007 | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes today’s introduction of H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2007 (LLEHCPA) in the House of Representatives. This bill, commonly referred to as, “the hate crimes bill,” was introduced by Judiciary Chairman John Conyers and already has 137 cosponsors. The Senate will soon introduce an identical bill.
LLEHCPA would provide increased protection for all Americans, including Arab-Americans, from being the victims of hate crimes. Arab-Americans have experienced a surge in hate crimes directed against them over the past several years. Immediately following the September 11 terrorist attacks, the FBI documented a 1,600 percent increase in hate crimes against those perceived to be Muslim or Arab and a 130 percent increase in incidents directed at individuals on the basis of ethnicity or national origin. On a daily basis ADC continues to be contacted by members of the community seeking support following hate crime incidents. ADC is part of a coalition of over 200 civil rights, faith-based, disability, and labor organizations supporting the hate crimes bill. The bill has also received strong support from national law enforcement organizations.
LLEHCPA will provide assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies to combat hate crimes and amend federal law to facilitate the investigation and prosecution of violent, bias-motivated crimes. While states would continue to play the primary role in prosecuting bias-motivated violence, the hate crimes bill would allow the federal government to address those cases in which local authorities are either unable or unwilling to investigate and prosecute.
ADC calls upon Congress to send the message to all Americans that the federal government and law enforcement officials are committed to protecting all citizens from hate crimes by swiftly passing H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
ADC Action Alert
ADC Letter of Support for Hate Crimes Bill
United Against Hate Website-More Resources
List of Organizations Supporting LLEHCPA