Attorney General Loretta E. Lynch
WASHINGTON - Attorney
General Loretta E. Lynch released a video statement today on the FBI's
newly announced 2015 hate crime statistics as well as on recent media
reports of alleged hate crimes and harassment around the country. The
statement reminds individuals to report these incidents to both local
law enforcement and the Justice Department in order to ensure that
career investigators and prosecutors are able to enforce hate crime
statutes at the local, state and federal level.
The video can be viewed at here, and a transcript of the video is below:
"Earlier this week, the FBI released its statistics on hate
crimes committed in 2015. These numbers should be deeply sobering for
all Americans. Among other alarming trends, the report showed a 67
percent increase in hate crimes committed against Muslim Americans. It
also showed increases in the number of hate crimes committed against
Jewish people, African Americans, and LGBT individuals. Overall, the
number of reported hate crimes increased six percent - a number that
does not account for the many hate crimes that may go unreported out of
shame or fear.
"Beyond these 2015 statistics, I know that many Americans are
concerned by a spate of recent news reports about alleged hate crimes
and harassment. Some of these incidents have happened in schools.
Others have targeted houses of worship. And some have singled out
individuals for attacks and intimidation. The FBI is assessing, in
conjunction with federal prosecutors, whether particular incidents
constitute violations of federal law. We need you to continue to report
these incidents to local law enforcement, as well as the Justice
Department, so that our career investigators and prosecutors can take
action to defend your rights. You can find information about federal
hate crimes laws - and other civil rights laws that the department
enforces, including protections for students in schools - on our Civil
Rights Division's website. Our site also contains resources for
communities working to prevent and respond to hate crimes, as well.
"Last month marked the seventh anniversary of one of those
laws: the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention
Act. This landmark statute was named for two men who were killed for
the most un-American of reasons - because they were different from their
attackers - Matthew Shepard in his sexual orientation, and James Byrd
Jr. in his race. The law that bears their names significantly expanded
our ability to combat hate crimes by adding new federal protections
against crimes based on one's gender identity, sexual orientation,
gender or disability status - protections that we have worked tirelessly
to uphold in the last seven years.
"But despite the tremendous progress we have made, we cannot
lose sight of how much remains to be done. Nearly two decades after
Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. were brutally murdered simply for
being who they were, we still have a long way to go to ensure that every
American can live free from the fear of violence or harassment based
what they look like, how they worship or whom they love.
"That work is not just about enforcing the law. It's about
staying true to our highest ideals and most cherished principles. It's
about making sure that all Americans receive the protection of the law.
And it's about giving real meaning to our shared belief that all people
are created equal.
"Put simply, this work is the right - and just - thing to
do. And I want the American people to know that as long as that work is
necessary, the Department of Justice will continue to carry it
forward. We will continue to enforce our nation's hate crimes laws to
the fullest extent possible. We will continue to uphold our conviction
that all men and women deserve to lead lives of safety and dignity. And
we will continue to champion the values of diversity and inclusion that
have always been the bedrock of our nation's progress, and that point
the way to a brighter future. Thank you."
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