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Combating Hate
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An intensified level of anti-Muslim bigotry has taken rise in the United States. Mosques and Islamic Centers around the country have been targeted by anti-Muslim protests, hateful invective and violence, while anti-Muslim bigotry has surfaced in a variety of public forums. These sentiments have been exploited by some, including public figures, to further demonize Muslims and Islam. A new ADL report documents this troubling phenomenon.
| Hate Crimes Laws |
Leading the Way Against Violent Bigotry
ADL’s model hate crime statute provides for increased penalties for criminals who target their victims because of their personal characteristics, such as race, religion, national origin, gender or sexual orientation. Now, 45 states and the District of Columbia have enacted hate crimes laws based on (or similar to) ADL’s model, and, in 1993, the Supreme Court unanimously upheld such laws, ruling that they did not violate First Amendment rights.
The passage of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crime Prevention Act—the most important, comprehensive and inclusive federal hate crime law– is a direct result of ADL’s leadership in this area.
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| Responses to Hate |
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