Action Alert from the United Church of Christ
People of faith have worked for years to strengthen federal hate crimes law in response to the horrific, hate-motivated murders of James Byrd, Matthew Shepherd and many other victims of hate crimes. We now have an opportunity to achieve a significant legislative victory by passing the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (LLEEA).
LLEEA, formerly the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure to strengthen existing federal hate crimes law, was passed in June with bipartisan support in the Senate as an amendment to the Department of Defense authorization bill. In an important step toward passing this historic legislation, House members will vote this week on a Motion to Instruct House conferees to include the hate crimes provision in the final version of the Defense authorization bill. A vote may come as early as Wednesday, September 8th.
LLEEA would expand federal hate crimes law to include hate crimes based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender or disability. It would also allow federal law enforcement authorities to assist state and local authorities in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes perpetrated against individuals not engaged in one of the narrowly-defined "federally protected activities," such as voting. This legislation would provide the support and assistance needed by many small jurisdictions lacking the resources to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
Particularly in light of hate violence perpetrated in response to the events of September 11, 2001, addressing hate crimes and hate violence must be a national priority.
Contact your representative today and urge them to support the Motion to Instruct on hate crimes to ensure that the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 966/ H.R. 4204) is included in the Department of Defense authorization bill. To send a fax or e-mail message, click here.
