United Church of Christ - JPANet: Support Vital Hate Crimes Prevention Laws!

JPANet: Support Vital Hate Crimes Prevention Laws!

Human Rights Cutout A hate crime occurs when the perpetrator of the crime intentionally selects the victim because of who the victim is. Hate crimes rend the fabric of our society and fragment communities by targeting a group of people, not just the individual victim. A law protecting all of our citizens against senseless hate violence is long overdue.

Current hate crime statutes offer no federal protection against bias motivated crimes rooted in sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. The Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (H.R. 1913) would include these categories and permit federal authorities to help investigate and prosecute cases when local authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.

Tell Congress that now is the time to ensure protection for all people and all communities against bias motivated crimes!

The sacred scriptures of many different faith traditions speak with dramatic unanimity on the subject of hate. Crimes motivated by hatred or bigotry are an assault not only upon individual victim’s freedoms, but also upon a belief that lies at the core of our diverse faith traditions - that every human being is created in the image of God.

A vote is just days away. It's up to us to demand that Congress help protect our communities from the terror and brutality of hate-driven violence.

Some critics of this legislation have erroneously asserted that enactment of the measure would prohibit the lawful expression of one’s deeply held religious beliefs. These fears are unfounded. H.R. 1919 does not in any way violate the First Amendment protections of offenders. Hate crime laws do not restrict free speech. They target only violent criminal activity motivated by prejudice.

Make sure Congress hears from you. Email below or Call 866-346-4611 (TOLL FREE)* and tell your member of Congress to vote for the Matthew Shepard Act.

* Phone number made available Monday-Wednesday, April 27-April 29 by our friends at LCCR

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Dear [Decision Maker],

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As your constituent and a Christian, I am writing to express my strong support for the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Protection Act. I hope you'll do everything in your power to pass it.

Existing federal law is inadequate to address the significant national problem of hate crimes. Not only does current law contain obstacles to effective enforcement, but it also does not provide authority to investigate and prosecute bias crimes based on disability, gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation.

While all violent crimes are heinous, hate crimes are uniquely destructive, casting a pall of terror over an entire community.  They don't just target a single victim. They are designed to "send a message" that an individual and "their kind" will not be tolerated, often leaving large numbers of people feeling isolated, vulnerable and unprotected.

As people of faith we are commanded to love one another, even as Jesus loved the disciples, and the quality of our love for one another is the identifying mark of faithful discipleship. (Jn. 14:34-35) Crimes motivated by hatred or bigotry are an assault not only upon individual victim's freedoms, but also upon a belief that lies at the core of many faith traditions - that every human being is created in the image of God. It's long past time that we expand federal hate crimes law to cover sexual orientation, gender identity and disability. And we must give local law enforcement officials the resources needed to investigate and prosecute these crimes.

Please protect civil rights by giving this bill your full support and attention, and by urging your colleagues to support it as well. To help protect our communities from the terror and brutality of hate-driven violence, please vote for the Matthew Shepard Act.

Thank you for your consideration of this important civil rights issue. I look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]