LDF Urges NY Assembly Members to Oppose Bill Expanding Hate Crime Coverage

6/08/17

Related Case or Issue: Policing Reform Campaign

NAACP Legal Defense Fund Urges NY State Assembly Members to Oppose Bill Expanding Hate Crime Coverage to Law Enforcement

The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) sent a letter to New York State Assembly Members urging them to oppose A. 2962-A, which would unnecessarily and unreasonably expand New York’s hate crime statute to include coverage of law enforcement officers, firefighters, and emergency medical services personnel. While LDF supports efforts to advance public safety, A. 2962-A does not accomplish this goal. It is an inappropriate and misguided proposal for the following reasons:

• New York law already imposes adequate penalties for crimes against law enforcement and other first responders.
• Hate crimes laws are intended to address biased-based crimes against social groups that historically have experienced discrimination.
• 2962-A will harm community-police relations.

Read our full letter.