ACTION ALERT: support the Hate Crimes Prevention Act
David on May 3rd 2007
Today is the day that the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote on the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. According to a HRC press release:
As the U.S. House of Representatives is set to vote tomorrow (Thursday) on H.R. 1592, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, anti-gay extremist organizations have embarked on a desperate last attempt to derail passage of the bill. Marking a new low in politics, these groups have embraced the work of a known white-supremacist filmmaker, callously invoked the Virginia Tech massacre, blatantly lied about the congressional record and even used the name and image of Jesus Christ in vain.
The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act would strengthen the ability of law enforcement officials to investigate and prosecute hate crimes when a crime is committed because of a person’s sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or disability. The current hate crimes law applies only to violent crimes committed due to the victim’s race, color, national origin and religion.”
Yesterday afternoon, the radically conservative Family Research Council issued an action alert urging its supporters to call legislators around the country and released this statement:
This bill creates a caste system within American society where those who fit a certain category - ranging from race, disability, gender to sexual orientation and transgendered - would be seen as deserving special legal protection. The bill is most notable for the millions of Americans it leaves out, meaning if you or I are a victim of a violent crime - we matter less.”
With only hours until the vote, what can we do to counter this last-minute effort by the far right?
- Sign the National Center for Transgender Equality’s petition supporting the Hate Crimes Prevention Act. There is great power in numbers!
- Contact your representatives. Use this preformatted email from the People for the American Way.
- Spread the word. Talk about the Hate Crimes Prevention Act at work today. Send an email to your contacts. Call friends and family.
Let’s make history today!
Filed in action |
