WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Noting three recent fatal fatal hate crimes Attorney General Eric Holder wants bigger efforts to enforce civil rights protections, and he renewed his call for expanding the hate-crimes law.
"Over the last several weeks, we have witnessed brazen acts of violence, committed in places that many would have considered unthinkable: a sacred memorial in the nation's capital, a recruiting station for the nation's armed forces and a church in the nation's heartland," emphasized Holder.
"The violence in Washington, Little Rock and Wichita reminds us of the potential threat posed by violent extremists and the tragedy that ensues when reasoned discourse is replaced by armed confrontation," the attorney general said.
Holder spoke to the Washington Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights, a pillar of the traditional civil rights movement.
Holder will also concentrate on "new challenges and insurgent threats."
Holder stated the killing of Kansas doctor George Tiller was not justified. Nor was the death of the security guard at the Holocaust museum. He also commented on the shooting of the two Army NCOs at a recruiting station.
"We will not tolerate murder or the threat of violence masquerading as political activism," emphasized Holder "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."
Holder asked for stronger hate crimes legislation, which also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
"I testified in support of stronger federal hate crimes legislation when I was deputy attorney general almost 10 years ago. My friends, that is far too long to wait. Too long to wait for the authority to prosecute offenses motivated by a person's gender, disability or sexual orientation. Too long to wait for the tools necessary to staunch the rising tide of bias-motivated violence directed at the Latino community. Put simply, too long to wait for justice," said Holder as he concluded his speech.
Legislation that would expand hate crimes protections has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/holder.civil.rights/index.html
"Over the last several weeks, we have witnessed brazen acts of violence, committed in places that many would have considered unthinkable: a sacred memorial in the nation's capital, a recruiting station for the nation's armed forces and a church in the nation's heartland," emphasized Holder.
"The violence in Washington, Little Rock and Wichita reminds us of the potential threat posed by violent extremists and the tragedy that ensues when reasoned discourse is replaced by armed confrontation," the attorney general said.
Holder spoke to the Washington Lawyers Committee on Civil Rights, a pillar of the traditional civil rights movement.
Holder will also concentrate on "new challenges and insurgent threats."
Holder stated the killing of Kansas doctor George Tiller was not justified. Nor was the death of the security guard at the Holocaust museum. He also commented on the shooting of the two Army NCOs at a recruiting station.
"We will not tolerate murder or the threat of violence masquerading as political activism," emphasized Holder "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."
Holder asked for stronger hate crimes legislation, which also protects against discrimination based on sexual orientation.
"I testified in support of stronger federal hate crimes legislation when I was deputy attorney general almost 10 years ago. My friends, that is far too long to wait. Too long to wait for the authority to prosecute offenses motivated by a person's gender, disability or sexual orientation. Too long to wait for the tools necessary to staunch the rising tide of bias-motivated violence directed at the Latino community. Put simply, too long to wait for justice," said Holder as he concluded his speech.
Legislation that would expand hate crimes protections has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/06/16/holder.civil.rights/index.html
Contact Rightardia: eelder1@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment