Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA)

[coadie]

The House of Representatives passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA) today (249-175).

"[The vote] is a victory for those who may find themselves targeted because of the color of their skin, their gender identity, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. It is a victory for the families of victims of hate crimes – people like Angie Zapata of Colorado, Luis Ramirez of Pennsylvania, Billy Ray Johnson of Texas, and Matthew Shepard of Wyoming," said Wade Henderson, president and CEO of LCCR. "Today, the House has sent a clear message that Americans do not have to live in fear."

The LLEHCPA will authorize the Department of Justice to investigate and prosecute certain bias-motivated crimes based on the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. Currently, the federal government can only investigate hate crimes motivated by the victim's race, color, religion, and national origin.

Most crimes as it concerns hate crimes are gays committing acts on gays and other groups on themselves. This law over reaches in that if a preacher uses the bible and preeches against pedophilia for example and a congregant commits a crime, theis desire is to implicate the pastor. Silencing the Christian is big business in this new age.

Senate Democrats said on Monday that they would seek to broaden the federal hate crimes law to protect victims of attacks based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disabilities.

To lift the chances of passage, Democrats said the legislation, known as the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act, would be attached as an amendment to the annual defense authorization bill – a must-pass measure.
Just for the record. The Matt Shepherd horrible murder was reported later as NOT driven as a crime against a gay, but 2 drug addicts killing a boy for drug money. We have had several Pentecostals arrested under this type of laws in other countries.
Note. I thought the Democrats were going to surrendor and stop defense spending. I guess I mis understood their campaigns last fall.