The Jewish Council for Public Affairs has sent letters to all 435 members of the House of Representatives urging support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would permit greater federal involvement in investigating hate crimes and expand the federal definition of such crimes to include those motivated by gender, sexual orientation, gender identity and disability.
JCPA also joined the Anti-Defamaation League, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism and the National Council of Jewish Women and six other civil rights organizations in a coalition backing the bill.
The legislation was approved by the House Judiciary Committee this week and is expected to face a vote in the full House next week. The bill, which supporters have been pushing for a decade, has previously been attached to other legislation and passed both houses of Congress, but has been eliminated in conference committees. With Obama supporting the bill, backers are hoping for a change this year.
The JCPA letter states that the legislation would "ensure that justice is pursued even when local authorities are unable or unwilling to do so independently. JCPA believes that while states should continue to play the primary role in the prosecutions of hate crime violence, the federal government must be able to address cases when local authorities are either unable or unwilling to fully pursue justice."
The full letter, and coalition press release, are after the jump: [[READMORE]]
First, the letter:
April 23, 2009
Dear Representative:
On behalf of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA), I write to urge you to support the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 (LLEHCPA), H.R. 1913, introduced by Representatives John Conyers (D-MI), Mark Kirk (R-IL), Barney Frank (D-MA), Judy Biggert (R-IL), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY) Mary Bono Mack (R-CA), and Jared Polis (D-CO). The JCPA is the American Jewish Community’s umbrella agency for multi-issue organizations engaged in public policy and community relations. Our membership includes 14 national organizations and 125 local affiliates. We work with government representatives, the media, and a wide array of religious, ethnic, and civic organizations to address a broad range of public policy concerns and share the Jewish community’s consensus perspectives.
The LLEHCPA is a necessary piece of legislation that would improve the federal hate crimes laws by more effectively covering vulnerable populations. The definition of a hate crime would be expanded to include those violent offenses motivated by the victim’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or disability. This legislation would also provide additional resources to local law enforcement agencies to combat bias-motivated crimes. Lastly, LLEHCPA would remove the current requirement that a hate crime be committed while the victim is engaged in a specific federally-protected activity in order to be prosecuted. This back-stop authority would ensure that justice is pursued even when local authorities are unable or unwilling to do so independently. JCPA believes that while states should continue to play the primary role in the prosecutions of hate crime violence, the federal government must be able to address cases when local authorities are either unable or unwilling to fully pursue justice.
Hate crimes are deeply disturbing and have profound effects in the community. The Jewish Community is sensitive to these concerns. Our own history has made us acutely aware of the impact and devastation caused by these bias motivated crimes. No community should face these atrocities. For example, in 1999, the attack on the North Valley Jewish Community Center in Granada Hills, California sent shock waves throughout the entire American Jewish community: this was not a random shooting in Los Angeles, it was a deliberate attack against Jews in the United States. In 2006, the Jewish Federation Building in Seattle was attacked by gunman killing 1 woman and wounding another 5 people. Again, this was a purposeful and deliberate attack.
The LLEHCPA will send a clear message that crimes motivated by prejudice will not be tolerated in our society. Bias-motivated crimes committed against any individual hurt not only that person but also chip away at the very pillars of liberty, pluralism and dignity that support American democracy.
We again urge you to support this important legislation.
Sincerely,
Rabbi Steve Gutow
President
And the press release:
Coalition Urges Swift House Passage of Bill to Strengthen Protection from Hate Crimes
Civil and Human Rights Groups and Faith Communities United in Support of Bill
WASHINGTON – Today, the House Judiciary Committee marked up the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that enhances federal involvement against hate crimes where necessary and authorizes the prosecution of hate crimes based on sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability, in addition to race, color, religion, or national origin.
A wide coalition of national organizations has called for the passage of the LLEHCPA legislation. Leaders in the civil rights, human rights, and faith communities issued the following statements in support of the bill and an expected House vote next week:
“Violence against people because of who they are, where they worship, or the color of their skin, is the antithesis of what we stand for as a nation. Hatred that leads to violence is a matter of fundamental concern to the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights and its 200-member coalition and we are unified in our support of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act.” – Wade Henderson, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR)
“This is legislation that has bipartisan majority support for more than 10 years. It’s long past time for congress to act – and the legislation will really help make a difference for hate crimes victims.” – Michael Lieberman, Washington Counsel for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
“Too many times when heinous crimes are committed against people with disabilities, these offenses either go unreported or unprosecuted as hate crimes, even if the circumstances clearly show the victim was targeted because of a disability. AAPD strongly supports the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which, if passed, will help protect people with disabilities from those who commit violent, bias-motivated crimes by giving law enforcement resources to investigate and prosecute these crimes.” – Andrew Imparato, President and CEO of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
“The ACLU strongly supports the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act as protecting both civil rights and free speech and association. We have found in our experience of fighting for stronger protections for civil rights and free speech and association rights that the two go hand in hand. Vigilant protection of free speech rights historically has opened the doors to effective advocacy for expanded civil rights protections.” – Caroline Fredrickson, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Washington Legislative Office
“After 10 years, and tens of thousands more victims, this critical legislation combating hate violence is long overdue. On behalf of the overwhelming majority of the American people, and more than 300 law enforcement, religious and civil rights organizations, we urge Congress not to delay in sending this bill to the President’s desk where he has stated he will sign it into law. We must not miss this opportunity to provide local police and sheriffs’ departments with the tools and resources they need to ensure that entire communities are not terrorized by hate violence.” – Joe Solmonese, President of Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
“As Jews and Americans committed to social justice, we commend the House Judiciary Committee for swiftly approving the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act. Our nation’s great strength is built on pluralism and a deep respect for diversity. This critical piece of legislation will better protect all Americans from insidious bias-motivated violence. These crimes are anathema to our values.” – Rabbi Steve Gutow, President of the Jewish Council for Public Affairs (JCPA)
“The right to be protected and to be safe and free from physical harm or intimidation is the most fundamental of civil and human rights. We urge Congress to quickly pass the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, legislation that will enhance protections against hate crimes and give local police departments the resources they need to crack down on hate motivated violence.” – Benjamin Jealous, President and CEO of the NAACP
“Many communities of color have seen a spike in hate crimes and even though there are laws to protect hate crime victims, some do not go far enough. This bill would give the federal government jurisdiction to prosecute hate crimes in states where the current law is inadequate and by passing it, Congress can send a strong message that acts of intolerance are unacceptable.” – Janet Murguia, President and CEO of the National Council on La Raza (NCLR)
“It is essential that we make our nation’s civil rights laws just and equal for every individual. It is long past time for Congress to make clear that crimes of hate and prejudice will not be tolerated in America.” – Nancy Ratzan, President of the National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW)
“As Jews, we cherish the biblical commandment found in Leviticus 19:17: "You shall not hate another in your heart." We know all too well the dangers of unchecked persecution and of failing to recognize hate crimes for what they are: acts designed to target and terrorize an entire community. All violent crimes are reprehensible, but hate crimes rend the fabric of society and fragment communities. By providing federal officials the authority to investigate and prosecute cases in which violence occurs because of victims’ real or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender or disability, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act will significantly strengthen federal response to these horrific crimes.” – Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism
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