Senate Passes COVID-19 Hate Crime Bill Amidst Wave of Violence Against Asian Communities

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janessa Sambola-Harris, [email protected]

WASHINGTON— Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the Senate passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act:

“There has been a devastating spike in hate incidents and violence targeting the Asian American community, as well as other people of color, religious minorities, immigrants, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ community. By passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, with the Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer National Opposition to Hate, Assault, and Threats to Equality Act (Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act) as an amendment, the Senate is recognizing the urgency of this moment and the need to improve hate crimes reporting and invest in communities targeted for hate. More accurate reporting and data would help to create community-centered solutions to prevent and report hate crimes and help law enforcement carry out its duty to protect and serve communities targeted for hate. We applaud the Senate for this vote, and call on the House of Representatives to pass this important legislation so the president can sign it into law.”

The Leadership Conference urged Congress to pass the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act earlier this month. The letter is available here. 

The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 220 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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