“The new law should increase hate crime reporting,” added Lieberman.
Civil rights groups also are asking Congress and the incoming Obama administration to support a bill to bolster the federal role in combating hate crime. The organizations seek action on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crime Prevention Act, which has floundered in Congress due to White House opposition.
Among other provisions, the bill would remove a requirement that the federal government intervene in a hate crime case only if a victim was participating in a federally protected activity such as attending public school or serving on a jury.
While the economy may be the president-elect’s first order of business, advocates called for action on the bill next year.
“Hate did not win the election,” said Janet Murguia, president of the National Council of La Raza. “But it has certainly reared its head in local communities across the country.”
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