Broad Coalition Urges Swift Passage of Bill to Strengthen Protection from Hate Crimes

April 27th, 2009

FOR PLANNING PURPOSES:       
April 24, 2009                        

Contact: Maggie Kao (LCCR), 202-466-2735  

** Press Conference Call: Tuesday, April 28 at 1:00 PM ET**

** Dial In: 800-895-2195 - Passcode: HATE CRIMES**  

Broad Coalition Urges Swift Passage of Bill to Strengthen Protection from Hate Crimes
Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act Expected to Go to House Vote Wednesday 

WASHINGTON- On Tuesday, April 28^th at 1 PM EST, the eve of an expected House vote on the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEHCPA), the leaders of several of the nation's largest civil rights and faith groups will hold a press conference call to urge swift passage of the bill that would strengthen protection against hate crimes.   The LLEHCPA enhances federal involvement against hate crimes where necessary and authorizes the U.S. Justice Department to investigate and prosecute bias-motivated violence against a person based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.   A wide coalition of national civil rights organizations, faith groups, and law enforcement organizations has called for the passage of the LLEHCPA legislation.  

WHO:            
Wade Henderson, President of the Leadership Conference on Civil Rights (LCCR)
Andrew Imparato, President of the American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD)
Caroline Frederickson, Director of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) Washington Legislative Office
Michael Lieberman, Washington Counsel for Anti-Defamation League (ADL)
Joe Solmonese, President of the Human Rights Campaign (HRC)
Hilary Shelton, Director of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Washington Bureau                        
Janet Murguía, President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR)
Rabbi David Saperstein, Director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism (RAC)  

WHAT:          
Press conference call by a broad coalition of civil rights and faith organizations to urge swift passage of the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act  

WHEN:           
Tuesday, April 28^th, 1 PM Eastern  

HOW:                  
Dial in: 800-895-2195; Passcode: HATE CRIMES
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