Congress Takes Historic Step to Stop Hate Crimes, But More Needed to Stop White Supremacy

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Rafael Medina, [email protected], 202.869.0390

WASHINGTON — Wade Henderson, interim president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which included the Jabara-Heyer National Opposition to Hate Assault and Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act as an amendment:

“As we witness a devastating spike in hate crimes targeting the Asian American community and other marginalized communities, it is important that President Biden sign this legislation into law to help combat hate through policies that are community-centered and reflect the needs of the people targeted by white supremacist violence. While passage of this bill is an important victory, more must be done to prevent and investigate white nationalist violence. Congress must hold white supremacists accountable for their actions, pass the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act to ensure accurate hate crime reporting, and oppose the creation of any new charge that would criminalize Black and Brown communities targeted for hate by violent white nationalists.”

BACKGROUND:

Asian American leaders worked with other leaders of color to ensure that the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act included the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act. This ensured that the bill was as inclusive as possible, enhancing the response to hate crimes and improving the data necessary to ensure that all communities targeted for hate receive the resources and support that they need.

The Leadership Conference has long supported the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act and its provisions that will improve the response to hate violence devastating communities. The Leadership Conference urged Congress to take action to hold violent white nationalists accountable now, require more accurate reporting on hate crimes, and address white supremacy in law enforcement in a letter supported by 157 civil and human rights organizations opposing a new domestic terrorism charge. Wade Henderson also testified before Congress on the issue.

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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