URGENT ACTION NEEDED

Public hearing Wednesday, March 4th on James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act Study.

Your state representative is one of 11 members of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee who will hear testimony on this bill.

WE NEED YOU TO TAKE ACTION!

In 2007, a similar bill received a hearing, but died in committee.

YOU can make equality happen!

Ask your representative to vote HB 616 favorably out of committee.

Just click on the enclosed link and you will send an e-mail of support to your state representative.

It has been over ten years since the horrifically brutal hate crime murder of James Byrd, Jr. on Huff Creek Road near Jasper, Texas.

Huff Creek Road site of the murder of James Byrd, Jr.   Photo by Lynn Johnson.

Out of the tragedy of James Byrd, Jr.'s murder in 1998 came the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2001.  The Act was passed with bipartisan and multi-cultural support to provide enhanced penalties for crimes of "bias and prejudice",  public education to reduce hate crimes, and training and support for prosecutors.  The Act marked the first piece of statewide legislation in Texas inclusive of "sexual preference".  

However, crimes of prejudice still occur.

Three Charged in Assault at Galveston Gay Bar

Even worse, the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act is not being enforced.

From 2001 through 2006, there have been 1,862 crimes of "bias and prejudice" reported in the Texas' Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report.

In total, only nine (9) prosecutions have occurred under the Act, resulting in eight (8) convictions.

The Act requires training and support for prosecutors.  Yet, the website of Attorney General Greg Abbott does not even list Hate Crimes Prosecution Assistance under "Resources for Law Enforcement" or "Criminal Justice Division".  If you are a law enforcement officer looking for help in prosecuting a hate crime, you might think the attorney general had nothing to do with it.

YOU can make equality happen.

Ask your state representative to vote HB 616 favorably out of committee. 

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

On Wednesday, March 4th, the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee will hold a public hearing on a matter of great importance to me.

It has been over ten years since the horrifically brutal hate crime murder of James Byrd, Jr. on Huff Creek Road near Jasper, Texas.

Out of the tragedy of James Byrd, Jr.'s murder in 1998 came the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act, passed by the Texas Legislature in 2001. The Act was passed with bipartisan and multi-cultural support to provide enhanced penalties for crimes of "bias and prejudice", public education to reduce hate crimes, and training and support for prosecutors. The Act marked the first piece of statewide legislation in Texas inclusive of "sexual preference".

However, crimes of prejudice still occur.

Even worse, the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act is not being enforced.

From 2001 through 2006, there have been 1,862 crimes of "bias and prejudice" reported in the Texas' Department of Public Safety Uniform Crime Report.

In total, only nine (9) prosecutions have occurred under the Act, resulting in eight (8) convictions.

The Act requires training and support for prosecutors. Yet, the website of Attorney General Greg Abbott does not even list Hate Crimes Prosecution Assistance under "Resources for Law Enforcement" or "Criminal Justice Division". If you are a law enforcement officer looking for help in prosecuting a hate crime, you might think the attorney general had nothing to do with it.

As your constituent, I am asking you to support a study of the James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Act to help ensure that it can live up to its intent.

As your constituent, I am asking you to vote FOR House Bill 616, by Rep. Marc Veasey, and report it favorably out of the Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

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March 03, 2009