NCJW Hails Final Passage of Hate Crimes Bill
October 22, 2009, Washington, DC -- The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) today hailed the final passage by the US Senate of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. NCJW President Nancy Ratzan released the following statement:
The National Council of Jewish Women (NCJW) is a grassroots organization of volunteers and advocates who turn progressive ideals into action. Inspired by Jewish values, NCJW strives for social justice by improving the quality of life for women, children, and families and by safeguarding individual rights and freedoms."Final passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr., Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009 is a tremendous advancement for civil rights and a long overdue improvement to existing law. NCJW advocates from around the country are proud to have actively engaged in this more than decade-long pursuit of fundamental social justice for all. We are honored to have played a lead role in making this critical bill a reality. The new legislation will expand the definition of a hate crime to include those violent offenses motivated by the victim's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, gender, or disability, and will assist local law enforcement agencies in fighting bias-motivated crimes. It will also empower the federal government to prosecute crimes where local authorities are unable or unwilling to do so.
"Passage of the Shepard-Byrd Act communicates a powerful vision and commitment: our nation is determined to end hate violence. We must not tolerate violence that intimidates, injures, and even kills individual victims, and also terrorizes whole communities. We look forward to seeing President Obama’s signature on this long-awaited new law."
Contact:
Elissa Froman
202 296 2588 x 3; elissa@ncjwdc.org