Why is hate crime legislation important to you?
Those who commit hate crimes send a message of fear to the entire community that it's wrong to be different. Such crimes violate our country's most basic principles -- and we as a society must make it clear that these crimes will not be tolerated in the United States of America.
A major part of the problem is that our country's current hate crime law is inadequate. Many hate crimes are not covered, and others are not prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
I have introduced the Matthew Shepard Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S. 1105) to strengthen our nation's hate crime laws, but I need your help to make sure this legislation passes.
Tell me why this issue is important to you, and I will use your stories in my effort to fight for stronger hate crime laws: