Hate Crimes Legislation Passes

October 25, 10:12 PMLas Vegas Civil Rights ExaminerRegina Bailey

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Human Rights Campaign- HRC Logo

Friday Oct 23, 2009, the wait was finally over.  After 12 yrs of waiting for their son's death not to be in vain, the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act finally passed Friday.  After watching the mother of Matthew Shepard come before them again and again Congress finally had no choice, she wasn't going to go away until it passed.  

There seems to be a lot of confusion surrounding this bill however.  Many are asking why a hate crime wouldn't just be a crime why does there need to be special legislation? "By extending protection to these often-targeted Americans our nation’s decades-old bias crime legislation, senators sent the message that hate crimes will not go unpunished, and local governments and law enforcement agencies will not run out of financial resources to provide justice to these victims and their loved ones." says Michael Cole, director of the Human Rights Campaign’s new media communications.  The HRC can be found at htttp://www.hrc.org

The reason that a hate crime cannot be just seen as a crime is for some of the same reasons as above.  Many times a  the local police dept. turns a blind eye to the crime due to personal prejudice or lack of funding to further prosecute these criminals.  The largest reason is  what it does to a community. Whenever a crime is committed based on race, religion, sexual orientation, etc... the community of the victim gets a message;  that message being that they cannot be themselves, they need to be scared and quieted.  Though this particular bill took the name of two homosexual victims, it will protect any hate crime.

We all know our civil liberties are important and each one of us should value each and every one of our rights and thereby allowing every other person to enjoy theirs.  Together we could all stand together in peace and speak as one.  It is possible, what will you do? 

Lady Gaga claps as President Obama recognizes her at HRC dinner Oct 10,2009- A/P Photo