President Obama Signs Hate Crimes Bill

posted on: Oct 29, 2009

The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is delighted at President Obama signing into law the Department of Defense Authorization Conference Report, which included in the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.

The hate crimes provision will strengthen existing hate crimes protections for race, color, religion, national origin, and ethnicity. It also now protects victims of crimes based on the actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender, or disability.

ADC President, Mary Rose Oakar stated, “ADC thanks President Obama for signing this vital law. The success of this law is due to the hard work of numerous individuals and groups that worked diligently to help make it a reality. History will show the importance of these protections. This marks a momentous occasion in our nation’s history to help protect all Americans.”