Obama signs hate crimes law into effect

October 30, 1:53 AMLas Vegas Civil Rights ExaminerRegina Bailey

Previous

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Las Vegas Civil Rights Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

President Barack Obama, hugs Dennis Shepard, center, as his wife Judy Shepard, left, watches after Obama
spoke at an event commemorating the enactment of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr.,
Hate Crime Prevention Act. (AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais). 

October 28, 2009 will be a day in history  to remember.  After years and years of pain and struggle it is officially law.  President Obama signs the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hater Crimes Law into effect.  The President said " after more than a decade...the cause endured,,,and for all that toiled to reach this day...The FBI reported over 7600 reported hate crimes last year. That's why with this law we will extend protection based on color of your skin, the faith in your heart, or where you were born.  We will finally add federal protection on crimes based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation. And prosecutors will have new tools to prosecute to the fullest.  No one in America should feel ashamed to walk down the street holding the hand of the person they love."  

You can watch his speech here :http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO-xUV61eUI

In the words of President Obama God Bless America when we can all put our differences aside and see common humanity and embrace our differences instead of attacking them,  God Bless us when we all can walk down the street without feeling ashamed no matter who we are, who we love, what religion we are, nor the color of our skin.  That is when God will bless America, Land of the free and Home of the Brave!