Friday, May 8, 2009

Call Senators about Hate Crimes Act

From Bent Alaska -

Sen. Begich targeted by opponents of Hate Crimes Act - Call Our Senators Today
"I just called Senator Begich's office to ask him to "Please SUPPORT THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT (S. 909)" which is coming up for a vote in the Senate soon," writes Marsha Buck of Alaskans Together for Equality.

"The aide or intern who took my call said she was surprised to hear that I was asking him to *support* the bill, because they are getting lots of calls today from our opponents asking him to vote against the Matthew Shepherd Act."

"This is a time when we need to raise many, many Alaskan voices to give our senators the support they need to vote with us!"

The House of Representatives passed hate crimes legislation on April 29, with a vote of 249-175. The legislation adds protection for actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability to existing protected categories such as religion, race, and ethnicity. Most law enforcement and civil rights groups support it.

The Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act (S 909) was introduced in the Senate on April 28 "to provide Federal assistance to States, local jurisdictions, and Indian tribes to prosecute hate crimes, and for other purposes." The haters are calling it protection for pedophiles.

Judy Shepard, the mother of murdered gay college student Matthew Shepard, made a video appeal for the bill.

Please call both Senator Begich and Senator Murkowski today and ask them to SUPPORT THE MATTHEW SHEPARD ACT (S. 909):

Senator Begich 202-224-3004
Senator Murkowski 202-224-6665

Senator Begich can be contacted by email on his website, and Senator Murkowski can be reached by email on her website. Or send the same message to both senators at the same time, watch the PSA, and find out more about the Matthew Shepard Act, at the HRC Action Center's Hate Crimes Act page.

Alaskans Together for Equality, Inc. advances civil equality for all Alaskans through grass roots organizing and advocacy.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Just finished calling both offices for support of this bill.
As an Alaskan village resident I have not only witnessed this but also been a victum of racial slurs.
This is one of the MOST racially bias areas of the US, beats the deep south all to heck, and as much from one group as another.
MUCH education is needed for all residents.
Rose R

Anonymous said...

End Freedom of Speech and all morals and values that has made American, it once was. This has a covering of evil to make the masses chime in and destroy america.
We are most hated country in the world for our massive genocide of other nations for their natural resources and Israel securty.
We The People do not exist, anymore.
Go ahead and vote for this and join the NEW WORLD ORDER, they have been planning on your help for along time.