Help prevent hate crimes!

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Call 866-659-9641 by 7pm EST to tell your Sens to support hate crimes legislation!

The Capitol Switchboard can be reached at 202-224-3121

Telephone calls are usually answered by someone on your Senators' legislative staff who will then convey the message.

After identifying yourself as a constituent, tell the staff member you would like to leave a brief message, such as: "I urge you to vote for the Leahy/Collins/Kennedy/Snowe Amendment (The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act) to S. 1391, the Department of Defense Authorization bill, and fight bias-motivated violence to ensure that all Americans are safe and secure."


Talking points:

- The FBI's most recent statistics on hate crimes note that in 2007, 7,624 hate crimes were reported across the nation, indicating that violence motivated by hate is an unfortunate a reality in our country.

- Current hate crime statutes offer no federal protection against bias-motivated crimes rooted in sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and disability. The hate crime legislation would ensure protections for these categories.

- The amendment provides for federal involvement in prosecuting hate crimes when local authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.

- This legislation only applies to bias-motivated crimes and will not affect lawful public speech or preaching.