Maryland to Become First State to Add Homelessness as Protected Class to Hate Crimes Law

[backtoblue]

Annapolis, MD, May 7, 2009 – The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH), the National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty (NLCHP), Health Care for the Homeless (HCH)and the Homeless Persons Representation Project (HPRP) are pleased toannounce that Governor O’Malley of Maryland will sign SB 151 into law at 10:00 a.m. on May 7th. SB 151 will make Maryland the first state to add homeless people as a protected class to its hate crimes law.

From 1999-2007, there have been 774 documented acts of violence committed against homeless individuals in the United States, 217 of which have resulted in deaths. In Maryland, documented attacks on homeless people date back at least to 1992, when a homeless Korean War veteran was killed in Annapolis after being soaked in urine, kicked down a ravine, and called a “worthless bum.” In 2001, a group of young men from South Baltimore began beating and robbing homeless people, a spree which resulted in three deaths. On Valentine’s Day in 2008, a homeless man was beaten to death while sleeping in an alley in Frederick.

These incidents demonstrate the dangerous reality of life without housing and the increasing disregard for people experiencing homelessness. This law magnifies the importance of protecting our most vulnerable neighbors. Adding homeless individuals to Maryland’s hate crimes law sends a message that homeless individuals are not second-class citizens and deserve the same protections as historically targeted groups.
http://www.nationalhomeless.org/civilrights/news_050709.html

[Critters2]

1. This seems like a really great idea. Hope other states follow suit. nt

[derby378]

2. And thus, Maryland kills the concept of "hate crimes"

I do believe that the homeless need our protection and support, but this is going too far.

[backtoblue]

4. When you target a certain group for crime, it is hate towards that group

I think that crimes against anyone is horrific and should be stopped.

[derby378]

6. Be careful...

Remember when Michael Moore targeted crooked CEOs on his dearly-missed TV Nation series? Using this law as precedent, those same CEOs can now claim that when someone targets them because they run shady corporations, it is now considered hatred towards them as well, and before you know it, the bang of a judge's gavel will put Rupert Murdoch in a "protected" class covered by the new hate crimes law.

[backtoblue]

7. I guess there is a dark side to everything

Hope this turns out to be a good thing.

[derby378]

8. Me too

I know the homeless have suffered many indignities over the years, and I hope this law does give them some relief.

[backtoblue]

9. It seems that our society has lost our common sense...

It is obvious that crimes targeted against those who have done nothing wrong or dispicable should not be tolerated. The big, greedy, asshole CEO's who knowingly screw people should expect to have the pitchforks come after them.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted message

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[Naturyl]

14. Exactly how is this "going too far?"

So other at-risk minorities deserve this sort of legal protection, but the homeless don't?

[backtoblue]

15. +1

[fair trade soy chai]

16. I didn't write that statement you are responding to, but I object to hate crime legislation...

I feel it is disrespectful to other crimes to single out racial, homophobic, and now income-based crimes as deserving of harsher penalties. So if a man kills his ex-wife so no one else will have her, it's a lesser crime?

[backtoblue]

17. No it doesn't make anything else a "lesser" crime

If you do not include violence against the homeless as a hate crime, then nothing else should be considered one either. IMHO. In law and order, motive and opportunity play an important role in establishing what is a hate crime and what is not.

[backtoblue]

18. never mind, you've received your tombstone...

[bobbolink]

19. It "goes to far" because we homeless people are just useless eaters.

Of no possible value to either the nation or the Democratic party.

[Adelante]

3. That is certainly a good thing

These poor people are just so vulnerable to every sicko in proximity.

[dgibby]

5. Excellent. I just hope it catches on.

[Ocracoker16]

10. This is great news

I think it comes at a particularly appropriate time. Violence against homelessness has been on the rise recently. The economic crisis has greatly increased the homeless population of this country. They are more visible now and that contributes to a greater vulnerability. Many of those who attack homeless people are teenagers and young adults.

[retiremesoon]

11. YES BUT........

It appears that 42 states have NOW made homelessness a crime. Google it !!

That is a cruel thing to do to homeless people that are living in tents.Native people lived in tents and they were considered homes.People in the east live in Yurts and they are considered nomadic homes.Perhaps these new laws should be challenged based on a definition of homelessness.

My point is that 42 states are sending a message that homeless people are criminals and less than others in society.This could send a very negative message to the sicko crowd that torture and kill homeless people.

Their are currently 2 million homeless people in the U.S. and their could be 5 to 8 million before this depression is over.

Compassion and human rights should be promoted by ALL states!Particularly at this critical point in history since it is said that a society should be assessed by the way they treat their most VULNERABLE people.We should remind senators that we had shanty towns in the last depression.We need to allocate safe places for tent cities with clean water and washrooms and security for these vulnerable people.

[retiremesoon]

12. SORRY THAT WAS 46 STATES MAKING IT A CRIME

Here is the article on getting 60 days in jail and it being a crime in 46 states.

http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/309/criminalizing_the_homeless/

[backtoblue]

13. thanks for the link

The government is making homeless folks out to be vicious nuissances and that will lead to more hate crimes. How the hell is a person with no place to live supposed to fork out $500? I couldn't pay that much and I have a decent job.

What is scary is the thought of "institutionalizing" homeless people and FORCING them to live in prisons where they will have food, shelter, and clothing - but NO FREEDOM.

[Imperfect World]

20. Let's say there are two twins who get murdered.

The murder of twin #1 is based on hatred, while the murder of twin #2 is based on greed.

Why is the murder of twin #2 any less tragic than the murder of twin #1?

And what should the punishments be for each of the two murderers?

[DeadEyeDyck]

21. got me running?

day both dead