Yesterday, President Barack Obama signed into law the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act. The legislation extends federal hate crimes protection in cases where the victim is targeted because of their sexual orientation, gender, disability or gender identity.
"After more than a decade of opposition and delay, we've passed inclusive hate crimes legislation to help protect our citizens from violence based on what they look like, who they love, how they pray, or who they are," Obama said in a speech before signing the bill. "I promised Judy Shepard, when she saw me in the Oval Office, that this day would come." And what a day it was!
– Dewitt
To watch the video, follow the JUMP:
And to all the folks who wrote letters and called their local congresspeople to get the word out that this was a priority for us. That’s what it takes people, not sitting around whining “why is it taking so long”.
Great. Another special interest crime bill. A crime is a crime people…hate in any form can be the trigger for a violent act. Criminals are supposed to be deterred by the signing of this bill? Highly doubtful. Take off the rose-colored glasses and quit living in some alternate universe, people. The reality is that hate crimes will continue…whether it is by sexual orientation or to that poor soul who on one morning, simply forgot to put the cap back on the toothpaste and pissed off his/her partner. Bang bang.
You want to send a loud message…the death penalty on behalf of the victims.