Statement on Conference Removal of Hate Crimes Bill
(Thursday, December 06, 2007)
Washington, DC - Today, the National Stonewall Democrats issued the following statement on the removal in conference of the Matthew Shepard Act (also known as the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act) from the final version of the National Defense Authorization Act:
"Democrats in both the U.S. House and Senate support passage of the Matthew Shepard Act (Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act). The Democratic Leadership, which guided this legislation to successful passage in their respective chambers, are now burdened with a moral obligation to see their work completed. If the National Defense Authorization Act is not the appropriate vehicle for passage, then we encourage the Democratic Leadership to work with our community to find the most expedient way to place this legislation on the President's desk within this Congress." - Jon Hoadley, Executive Director
The Matthew Shepard Act, would extend federal grants to local law enforcement agencies in order to more thoroughly investigate and prosecute domestic terror crimes that target individuals based on disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. Under existing hate crimes laws, such grants are routinely provided to local agencies for similar crimes which target victims based on race, color, national origin or religion.
Presidential candidates Joe Biden, Chris Dodd, Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama are introductory co-sponsors of the Senate version of the legislation as was Representative Dennis Kucinich of the House version. Senators John Edwards and Mike Gravel, along with New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson have also taken positions supporting the legislation.
A 2007 poll conducted by Peter Hart Research associates found that three out of four Americans supported the expansion of federal hate crimes law to include crimes based on disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity. Support cut across partisan, ethnic and religious lines. 74% of African Americans support the legislation along with 74% of Whites and 72% of Latinas/os. 63% of Evangelical Christians support the legislation according to the poll, as do 56% of Republican men.
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National Stonewall Democrats is the only national organization of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender Democrats, with more than 90 local chapters across the nation. NSD is committed to working through the Democratic Party to advance the rights of all people regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity.
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