Expand Hate Crimes Protection!

Sign our online resolution to let our elected officials know you support Hate Crimes Legislation in Michigan. Michigan Equality recognizes July as "Independence from Hate Crimes and Hate Speech Month." This resolution is part of an initiative to bring equality to all Michiganders and will be delivered to each Representative and Senator as they are lobbied for the passage of strong Hate Crimes legislation. Throughout the month of July, Michigan Equality will unveil educational information and legislative updates.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Hate Crimes Needs to be Expanded!

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
July 10, 2008

Background Information

Current Michigan Law:

The current hate crimes law, called The Ethnic Intimidation Act, currently requires the following criteria to be met:

(1) A person is guilty of ethnic intimidation if that person maliciously, and with specific intent to intimidate or harass another person because of that person's race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, does any of the following:

(a) Causes physical contact with another person.

(b) Damages, destroys, or defaces any real or personal property of another person.

(c) Threatens, by word or act, to do an act described in subdivision (a) or (b), if there is reasonable cause to believe that an act described in subdivision (a) or (b) will occur.

Michigan Equality and a coalition of groups are working to change the law to include sexual orientation, gender identity and expression. Michigan Equality would also like to see the two-year prison sentence for those found guilty of violating the act changed from concurrent to consecutive sentences.

Did you know...

... That reported hate crimes against the LGBT community rose 133% in Michigan in 2007?

... That reported hate crimes against the LGBT community rose 24% in the nation in 2007?

... That reported hate groups has nearly doubled since 2000 according to the Southern Poverty Law Center?

... The lastest statistics available from the FBI show that reported hate crimes against any protected or unprotected class have rose by 8% in 2006?

What Can You Do?

Check Michigan Equality's website often for updates on hate crimes and hate speech;
Contact your legislator and demand that he or she support Matt's Safe Schools Law;
Check out YAF Watch, a blog that tracks the Young Americans for Freedom, MSU Chapter (a hate group);
Sign our petition to expand hate crimes protections;
Download the Independence Logo and put it on your website, Blog, MySpace or Facebook account; and
Donate to or volunteer for Michigan Equality

Thank you for your support of Michigan Equality and the LGBT community.