Last night, President Obama issued a statement to urge the quick passing of The Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (the Matthew Shepard Act) by the House this week:
This week, the House of Representatives is expected to consider H.R. 1913, the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act of 2009. I urge members on both sides of the aisle to act on this important civil rights issue by passing this legislation to protect all of our citizens from violent acts of intolerance – legislation that will enhance civil rights protections, while also protecting our freedom of speech and association. I also urge the Senate to work with my Administration to finalize this bill and to take swift action.[White House
And there’s still time to contact your Representative to tell them to take Obama’s advice. You can do that here.
UPDATE: Senator Ted Kennedy is today introducing a similar bill in the Senate — the Matthew Shepard Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
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