Hate crimes are acts or threats of violence based on the actual or perceived race, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability of those targeted. Hate crimes have been said to be acts of domestic terrorism because often, the perpetrator’s intention is to intimidate and terrorize all members of a group. Human rights advocates say the problem is sufficiently serious and widespread as to warrant federal assistance to local law enforcement agencies. Critics of hate crime laws claim they are unconstitutional because they criminalize a defendant’s thought process. However, our Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of these laws. The FBI recently reported that hate crimes reached a 16 year high in 2019. They said crimes against property were down but physical assaults against people were up, accounting for 61% of the 7,120 incidents classified as hate crimes by law enforcement officials nationwide.

Pending Legislation: S.2776 - Disarm Hate Act
Sponsor: Sen. Robert Casey (PA)
Status: Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Chair: Sen. Dick Durbin (IL)

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