“We need to stand against manifestations of our inhumanity and we need to do more to reaffirm our common humanity,” he said.
The Hate Crimes Prevention Act would give federal prosecutors new authority to pursue hate crimes against women, the disabled, gays and lesbians. It would also make it easier for the federal government to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.
Last week, Clinton vetoed the bill funding the Commerce, Justice and State departments because Republican leaders took the hate crimes provisions out of the legislation. Activists are lobbying for the provisions to be included in a revamped version of the spending bill or in a catch-all spending bill that would emerge from negotiations between Congress and the White House.