For many, “hate crime” means an act of violence perpetrated against a member of a minority group. But what about targeting someone because they serve and protect?
Now, in the era of the “blue lives matter” response to the “black lives matter” movement, some legislators in Louisiana are trying to answer that question. A committee in the state’s house of representatives has advanced a bill that classifies offenses committed against police and firefighters as hate crimes.
“We have a pretty extensive hate crime law right now, but I believe we should add firefighters and policemen,” Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, who supports the bill, said, as the Advocate noted.
The proposed language of HB 953 intended to protect police and firefighters would be added to existing hate-crime legislation, which lets those convicted of felonies against protected groups be sentenced to up to five extra years in prison. See the changes in italics: “It shall be unlawful for any person to select the victim of the following 10 offenses against person and property because of actual or perceived race, age, gender, religion, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, or ancestry of that person or the owner or occupant of that property or because of actual or perceived membership or service in, or employment with, an organization, (begin ital) or because of actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter. (end ital)”
Some think the change is necessary in the post-Ferguson era, when police arguably face extra dangers.
“You never know if he’s coming home,” Louisiana resident Dionna Nelson, the daughter of a police officer, told KLFY. “His life was always on the line. There’s just too many police officers being killed, and firefighters and first responders being killed in the line of duty. There’s just no sense for it.”
Though similar laws have been proposed around the country, the Advocate noted none have yet been enacted. A “Blue Lives Matter” bill was also introduced in Congress last month.
“Despite the risk, our law enforcement officers put on their uniform every day so that they can serve our communities,” Rep Ken Buck, R-Colo., who sponsored the bill, said at the time. “Whether based on skin color or uniform color, a crime motivated by hate is not going to be tolerated in America. By adding law enforcement to the federal hate crime statute, we can protect those who protect us.”
