SCORE backs AG's call for vigilance on hate crime

WASHINGTON: US Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr., appeared before a Senate committee to speak about the importance of vigorous hate crimes legislation, which may help ensure that all Americans may live without fear of violence on account of a protected basis.

 In doing so, Attorney General Holder reminded the committee members - and all Americans - about the pernicious and wide-ranging effects of hate crimes on our society.
He said, "Hate crimes victimize not only individuals, but entire communities. Perpetrators of hate crimes seek to deny the humanity that we all share, regardless of the color of our skin, the God to whom we pray, or whom we choose to love."

The Sikh Council on Religion and Education (SCORE) has in a statement shared the Attorney General's position that the harmful reach of hate crimes extends not only to direct victims, but to all members of the communities to which the victims belong.  It appreciated the Attorney General's interest in convincing federal policymakers of the need for energetic hate crimes enforcement.

Words, as Holder remarked, are insufficient - we must act.  "We must do more than simply deplore horrific acts of bias-motivated violence." 

He continued, "The time is now to provide justice to victims of bias-motivated violence and to redouble our efforts to protect our communities from violence based on bigotry and prejudice."  SCORE pledged its commitment to work with his office, the agency he leads, and all arms of the government to eradicate bigotry and hate-related violence from our society.