H.R. 254 seeks to establish a new federal offense for hate crimes and would mandate separate federal criminal prosecution for state offenses tried under the statute. The bill would create additional penalties for felonies committed because of the victim’s “perceived or actual” identity, such as sexual orientation, gender, or disability.
This is an unneeded restriction on freedom of speech, thought and conscience. If a behavior is in and of itself criminal, then prosecution of the original criminal offense should be sufficient. Prosecution of thought is straight out of the old Soviet Union and doesn’t belong in America!
Call or write your federal representative on this without delay! If you call the Congressional Switchboard at 1-800-839-5276 or 202-224-3121, you’ll be connected to the right office by providing your zip code.
Also
Sign the Liberty Council’s Petition: http://www.lc.org/Petitions/fedmarriage/hatecrimes_petition_form.htm.
Note: EAU’s recommendation to use the Liberty Council’s petition does not imply either our endorsement of the Liberty Council’s philosophy, or their endorsement of ours. Sometimes, however, two very different organizations will find points of agreement.