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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 2, 2019
Contact: Iman Awad, Legislative and Policy Director | iawad@emgageaction.org
Emgage Action welcomes introduction of bipartisan NO HATE Act
(Washington, D.C., 7/02/2019) – Emgage Action is pleased to announce and strongly supports the introduction of the bipartisan NO HATE Act in both the Senate (“Khalid Jabara and Heather Heyer Hate Crime Reporting Act”) and the House. Sponsored by Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), Representative Pete Olson (R-TX), and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), the bill would improve the reporting of hate crimes and expand resources for victims of these crimes. The bill has been endorsed by a number of Muslim, Jewish, LGBTQ, and other minority organizations and communities.
The NO HATE Act was previously introduced in the 115th Congress but received no support from Republican lawmakers, subsequently resulting in its demise; however, after multiple advocacy organizations including Emgage Action lobbied Congress to address the rise in hate crimes, Democrats and Republicans worked together to re-introduce the NO HATE Act, provided much needed improvement to data-reporting mechanisms.
Specifically, the bill would expedite the establishment of the National Incident-Based Reporting System, which allows collaboration between local law enforcement and the FBI on providing detailed reports of hate crimes. It also creates grants for state and local governments to improve reporting via law enforcement training, government outreach programs, and by creating public forums on how to report hate crimes. The Act also establishes grants to create hotlines to connect victims to law enforcement and support system resources. Finally, it requires offenders to attend educational classes or volunteer in the communities that are harmed by the crime.
Hate crimes have increased for a third year in a row and the Muslim American community in particular has seen hate crimes against them increase 67%. The FBI is required by law to report hate crimes every year but due to fear of reporting by victims, ambiguous guidelines on what constitutes a hate crime, voluntary reporting, and agencies simply choosing not to report, the data on hate crimes is undeniably inaccurate. Without accurate numbers, the government has no way of effectively providing solutions to combat this worrying rise in hate crimes.
“As hate crimes continue to rise and the threat of white supremacy increases, we urge Congress to take the appropriate steps to collect better data. In order to combat this rising epidemic, it is crucial that we first identify its root causes and fully recognize how widespread this issue has become,” said Wa’el Alzayat, CEO Emgage Action.
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Emgage Action mobilizes Muslim Americans to engage on local, state, and national issues in pursuit of a more equal, just, and prosperous society. Visit EmgageUSA.org and EmgageAction.org to learn more about how Muslim Americans are engaging politically to ensure that America continues to remain inclusive and tolerant for everyone.
For more information, please contact our Legislative and Policy Director, Iman Awad, at iawad@emgageaction.org.
