Causes.com
| 3.23.23
BILL: As Anti-Semitism Grows, Should We Criminalize White Supremacist Hate Crimes?
Demand your reps take action on white supremacy
Updated on March 23, 2023
- An audit by the Anti-Defamation League shows that antisemitic discourse and incidents like assault reached record levels in 2022, up 36% from the year before.
- It is the third time in the last five years that the number of reported incidents was the highest on record since the ADL began tracking incidents in 1979.
- The ADL report describes 3,697 antisemitic incidents in 2022, with harassment rising by 29% and vandalism has increased by 51%.
- Their report shows that organized white supremacist groups were behind 852 of the incidents.
- Bomb threats against Jewish institutions increased from 8 incidents to 91.
- The five states that account for 54% of the total incidents include New York, California, New Jersey, Florida, and Texas.
- Some of these incidents can be linked to the "white replacement theory" that has been gaining mainstream traction.
- The ADL called the statistics:
“[A] grim reminder that anti-Semitism continues to infect our communities in real and pervasive ways.”
Updated on March 9, 2023
- A report published Wednesday by the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) shows that white supremacist propaganda reached an all-time high in 2022, demonstrating a trend toward extremism over the past few years.
- White supremacist propaganda nearly doubled from 2019 to 2020, increasing more than 120% from 2018 to 2019 and 38% in 2021.
- The ADL's Center on Extremism identified 6,751 cases of white supremacist groups distributing material that promoted supremacy and bigotry, such as banners, posters, leaflets, and stickers. Anti-semitic propaganda more than doubled over 2021.
- While there are over 50 groups that the ADL is monitoring, 93% of the propaganda distribution was spread by Patriot Front, Goyim Defense League, and White Lives Matter.
- The Patriot Front, which is most active in Massachusetts, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Utah, is a virulently fascist and racist group that calls for the creation of a white ethnostate. They were responsible for 80% of the propaganda distributed in 2022.
- ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt said of the report:
"There's no question that white supremacists and antisemites are trying to terrorize and harass Americans and have significantly stepped up their use of propaganda as a tactic to make their presence known in communities nationwide."
The Bill
Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2023
Bill Status
- Introduced by Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) on January 9, 2023
- Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary: January 9, 2023
- House and Senate: Not yet voted
- President: Not yet signed
Bill Overview
- The bill would prosecute white supremacy-influenced hate crimes and conspiracy to commit these crimes.
- The bill would amend Title 18, the federal criminal code, to expand the scope of hate crimes in light of a rise in violence associated with these groups, such as attacks on power stations.
- It also comes in light of the hate-fueled mass shooting that targeted Black Americans in Buffalo, N.Y. Months prior to the attack the shooter had published a manifesto online inspired by white supremacist rhetoric.
What's in the bill?
The bill would prosecute white supremacist-inspired hate crimes
The bill would strengthen legal actions against individuals involved in promoting, publishing, and spreading white supremacy-related content
- The bill would make it a federal crime to post something on social media that promotes hate and incites someone else to commit a crime.
- People who perpetuate hate speech online could face criminal charges even if they don’t act on their threats.
- A hateful message could be prosecuted under the bill if it is posted on social media where it is likely to be viewed by those "predisposed to engaging in any action in furtherance of a white supremacy inspired hate crime."
A crime can be considered a conspiracy even if there is only one perpetrator
- For the conspiracy addition to be fulfilled, only one person needs to have actually been involved in the commission of the crime.
- It will be considered a conspiracy if another person published the material that incited the perpetrator to act.
The Justice Department would have enhanced authority to mitigate threats
- The bill focuses on a proactive Department that can investigate and intercede when appropriate to mitigate or prevent an action from culminating in violent activity.
- The Uniform Crime Reporting Program in the Department of Justice will log and maintain records of white supremacy-inspired hate crimes.
Argument For
“Mass shootings and other hate crimes motivated by white supremacy have been increasing in frequency and intensity. These heinous and virulent crimes are inspired by conspiracy theories, blatant bigotry, and mythical falsehoods such as “replacement theory”. All instances must be prevented and severe criminal penalties must be applied to their perpetrators.”
- The Center for American Progress has argued that the rise in violent right-wing propaganda is the source of most of the domestic terrorism currently facing the country. This bill would target the hate at the source.
Argument Against
- Critics of the bill believe it is a violation of First Amendment free speech rights.
- George Washington University Law Professor Jonathan Turley has been an outspoken critic and believes the bill represents a culture-wide "erosion of free speech values".
"This is so flagrantly unconstitutional on so many levels from free speech to vagueness that it is actually impressive."
- Critics think it is unlikely Jackson Lee’s legislation will pass in the Republican-controlled chamber.
Demand your reps take action and commit to reducing white supremacist hate.
—Emma Kansiz
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You cannot really answer this question without understanding the definition and meaning of ‘white supremacy’ and how ‘White Supremacist’ organizations are formed to act upon those beliefs.
White Supremacy is, by definition, the assertion that anyone that is non-white is inherently inferior and should be subordinate to whites, and that our laws and governance need to be based entirely upon the needs and desires of the the white skinned ‘master race’.
‘White Supremacist’ groups have formed to weaponize their beliefs with the same kind of ‘religious’ fury that Iran adapts with their ‘Shia Supremacists’ - to violently force their will upon others with their mantra of superiority and willingness to foment and act with extreme violence.
The recent attacks on power substations has been advocated by White Supremacist groups as a way to initiate a cascading national power failure and cause a governmental collapse that they alone can overcome to restore ‘white’ established order - because they believe that they alone are superior, and that our governance will fail due to the inability of it’s ‘infection’ by non-white (and jewish) influence.
Hate crimes fomented by or enacted by White Supremacist groups are inherently much more dangerous than other hate crimes conducted by individuals, because they are part of a broader and very dangerous political ideology. These crimes are not only a threat to specific individuals, they are a threat to our country’s governance and the basic tenants of our legal system that purports to treat all people equally.
White Supremacist groups sponsor hate-based violence that is normalized and justified by their belief that their selected ‘others’ are simply not worthy. These crimes need special attention because they are representative of a dangerous political ideology.
I can't say it any better than Billy did. Any form of Hate vocalized should be a crime. No matter if it is against religion, color, ethnicity, gender, political beliefs, abortion, pro life, pro choice, etc. it is okay to have your opinion, but it should never harm or hinder anyone.
We have the Bill of Rights guaranteeing every American the Freedom of Speech. Banning only White supremacy hate speech while MSNBC, ESPN, and the view are preaching hate speech towards whites almost daily. I can't even remember that last time I saw a real group of White supremacy's. It's the narrative the Democrats preach every day. Unfortunately the government in control wants to preach hate and keep us divided. Who knows, maybe China is behind it and our liberal politicians are being bought off.
HR 61: Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2023 (118th Congress) is a continuation of HR 7955 Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2022 (from the 117th Congress) criminalizing certain forms of hate speech, so that white supremacist online could be prosecuted for hate crimes even if they don't act on their threats, which previously had 8 cosponsors but never came up for a vote so resubmitted to the 118th Congress.
Critics like Boebert claim the it infringes on free speech, and removes the ability to “criticize”
In my opinion, based on the DOJ definition of hate crimes, this bill should also include other biases Ike all races, religions, national origins, sexual orientation, gender identity or disability.
“hate crimes laws…cover.. crimes committed on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, or disability. The Department of Justice began prosecuting federal hate crimes cases after the enactment of the Civil Rights Act of 1968. “
https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/laws-and-policies
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/117/hr7955
https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/118/hr61/details
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11645375/amp/Democrat-introduces-bill-make-conspiracy-commit-white-supremacy-hate-crime-offense.html
All racist, bigotry, hate, violence and destruction should be called out for what it is, nothing more than opinions! But in saying this; being informed, facts, data, peaceful protest, demonstration, negotiations, reasoning, tolerance, respect other's view, listen, vote, except the results and be accountable for your actions is the only way to coexist in the world. This what a democracy is.
"Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..." This bill does just that and is therefore unconstitutional.
The government cannot criminalize thoughts or ideas in a free society. We have many laws prohibiting discrimination in many forms.
Absolutely!
And how is it that a man who is threatening our country and citizens with violence IS ALLOWED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT! What happened to the 14th Amendment disqualification clause? If this does not qualify, what the hell does? And why is the rhetoric of Jordan, McCarthy, Green, Gaetz, Boebert, et al., not considered relevant thereto. The majority of us have grown extremely exhausted hearing their bull. It must be stopped. Get on it NOW!
Hello, to all my friends here. Still alive. Still working on moving and selling out. Still wondering when it will finally be done. 🤪. Still haven't had time to figure this damn app out! Just know I'm still here cheering you all on? When I finally move back to lower 48, I am still hoping we may meet.🤗😊🙏❤️
Can you yell, "FIRE" in a movie theater when there isn't any? No you can't.
Hate speech is evil. Same playbook the nazi's used during the 1930's.
No room for hate...
Stop this junk.
Block the promotion of Hate Speech and Defamation of Vulnerable and Abused Minorities online.
People have First Amendment Rights.
But they don't have a Constitutional Right to promulgate that hate online or have it broadcast on TV and Radio.
Such speech encourages violence against marginalized people.
There should be no tolerance of hate crimes. It does not matter if they are committed by white supremacists or some other group! This type of behavior has no place in our society!!
There have been far too many anti-semetic incidents lately! Jewish people have done nothing to cause this! Yes, Trump loves saying that ANTIFA has caused problems & violence, which is totally untrue! ANTIFA is against Fascism only, & are peaceful! This should not be happening!
Skin color does NOT make anyone superior to another skin color. Religion works the same way. Hate is hate no matter how you look at it and does more harm than good. The bible tells us to "love thy neighbor as you love yourself", while the "Craft" tells you "Harm to NONE". At the same time there is KARMA to bring your words, actions back to you twice over. There is a natural order to things within this Universe whether you like it or not. Time to wise up and save ourselves from a lot of grief.
This "white supremacy" is "history repeating itself". Nazism raising it's ugly head once again with Trump, Radical Republicans, and extreem greed, leading the way. We are ALL humanbeings created by the energy force within the entire Universe regardless. Get a grip.
Hate speech is not free speech no matter who it is directed at.
Free speech and all that. Just saying.
Leaders of todays Republican party have pushed all manner of discrimination and made their supporters believe it's acceptable.
Hate groups like proud boys should be closely monitored by law enforcement and arrested for their violence. Their sentences need to be lenghthened They are so anti America
This law needs to be passed. White supremacist groups are responsible for many of the antisemitic attacks and gun violence in this country. This includes the so called neo Nazi groups as well. Are you waiting to see who the American Hitler is going to be? Deal with this now before it gets to that point! How many people have to die before Congress acts to contain these poisonous groups?
ALL HATE SPEECH Shoukd be Criminalized. i asked my 2 Senators to support Bills that Criminalize Hate Speech
You think? There is a reason for most Republicans, wealthy and corporations trying to stop any investigation into Trump, because of their own involvement with corruption and insurrection!
The right in the form of White Supremacy is doing the vast majority is violent attacks to s variety of people. They are the greatest threat to us nationally now and trump is still advocating for more.
YES all hate speech should be outlawed. The anti-Jewish, Gay, Black, Latino shit is only getting worse and harkens to the crap that was occuring in Nazi Germany. I don't know about others, but I sure the hell don't want to live in a Nazi country. Of course the MAGA crowd and the damn Republicans seems to be embracing this shit.
The antisemitism and racism propelled by the gop right now is sickening. And it will thank goodness, make them keep losing elections.
The KKK and proud boys are domestic terrorists and must be punished
The GOP are trying to make the American voters irrelevant and if may find that their powers of office are removed by antagonist GOP-controlled legislatures.