Our Affiliates:
Asian pacific American Legal Center Asian American Institute Asian law Caucus Asian American Center for Advancing Justice
The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act strengthens the ability of the federal, state and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on race, ethnic background, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation and disability. The bill helps state and local anti-bias efforts by enabling the Justice Department to assist them in the investigation and prosecution of all hate crimes, not just those that prevent the victim from exercising a federally protected right.
Every year, Asian Americans find themselves the victim of a hate crime. Over the years, AAJC has documented hundreds upon hundreds of bias-motivated crimes. It is important to our communities that the federal government be able to address cases that state and local authorities either cannot or will not investigate or prosecute properly. All hate crimes need to be taken seriously because they have a crippling effect on not only the victim, but on whole communities.
