Home -> Law Blog Directory -> Legal News Blogs -> JURIST - The Paper Chase

Legal News

: JURIST - The Paper Chase

AG Holder calls for stricter hate crime laws after recent violence

By Bernard Hibbitts (editor) and University of Pittsburgh School of Law students.

[JURIST] US Attorney General Eric Holder on Tuesday called for stricter federal hate crime laws, maintaining that the US Department of Justice (DOJ) is committed to working with Congress to pass such legislation. Addressing the Washington Lawyers Committee for Civil Rights and Urban Affairs, Holder cited recent crimes that took the lives of a soldier in Arkansas, abortion doctor George Tiller, and a guard at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum as reminders of the "potential threat posed by violent extremists." Holder stated that one of his top priorities is to ensure the continuance of the DOJ Civil Rights Division to protect the ideals of equal protection that are "enshrined so eloquently in the Declaration of Independence and the Fourteenth Amendment." Additionally, Holder maintained that important progress has been made in the division since President Barack Obama took office, including a reinvigoration of its amicus practice. Holder addressed the DOJ's commitment to combating hate crime violence, stating: We will not tolerate murder, or the threat of violence, masquerading as political activism. So let me be clear, the Justice Department will use every tool at its disposal to protect the rights ensured under our constitution. And we will do all that we can to deter violence against reproductive health care providers and to prosecute those who commit such violence to the fullest extent of the law. ... The violence we have seen during the last month may seem daunting to some. But I view these tragedies as a call to action. ... Let us commit ourselves – regardless of party affiliation or political viewpoint – to the difficult work ahead: building an America in which the kind of violence we have seen these last few weeks is but a distant memory. And building an America in which all of our Nation's citizens, in equal measure, enjoy the fruits of our founding documents.Holder mentioned the recent House of Representatives approval of the Federal Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009, which broadens the definition of hate crimes to include those based on sexual orientation, gender identity and disabilities. The proposed legislation seeks to expand current legislation which only covers crimes based on race, religion or national origin.Earlier this month, Holder maintained that the DOJ would take appropriate steps to help prevent acts of violence related to the shooting of George Tiller, enlisting the US Marshal Service to offer protection to other at-risk people and facilities. In 2007, the House approved a similar hate crimes bill, and the US Senate also passed similar legislation in the form of an amendment to the 2008 Senate Defense Reauthorization Bill. However, the broadened language was ultimately removed during House and Senate negotiations.

Full post as published by JURIST - The Paper Chase on June 17, 2009 (boomark / email).