Washington, D.C. – Two Oregon senators are joining Democratic legislators to introduce a bill that would strengthen laws put in place to combat hate speech, threats and attacks.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley announced they’ll be supporting the National Opposition to Hate, Assault, Threats to Equality (NO HATE) Act.
According to a press release from Sen. Wyden’s office, the act would “improve reporting and expand assistance and resources for victims of hate crimes.”
“Americans of all faiths and ethnic backgrounds have time and again spoken out to warn that hateful rhetoric fuels and emboldens a culture of intimidation and violence,” Sen. Wyden said. “That truth proved out yet again in the recent election cycle, which was characterized by animosity toward racial, ethnic and religious groups. As Americans, we must stand up against harassment, intimidation and attacks on people in Oregon and across this country based on their race, religion, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and other personal characteristics.”
“The wave of hate crimes since the election is intolerable,” said Sen. Merkley. “This is not who we are as Americans. We are better than this. Now is the time to act to strengthen federal protections against hate crimes and combat the surge in these attacks.”
Sen. Wyden’s office said the NO HATE Act would help combat hate crimes by:
- Helping Victims Seek Justice in the Courts
- Improving Reporting of Hate Crimes
- Establishing Hate Crime Hotlines
- Rehabilitating Perpetrators of Hate Crimes through Education and Community Service
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