"Blue Lives Matter" Bill Making Attacks on Police Officers a Hate Crime

[Cigar]

"Blue Lives Matter" Bill Making Attacks on Police Officers a Hate Crime Set to Pass in LouisianaLouisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is set to sign a bill into law that would classify any violent attack on police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel a hate crime. According to The Root, the so-called Blue Lives Matter bill is the first of its kind.

Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Allison Padilla-Goodman pointed out that crimes against police officers are already aggressively prosecuted under Louisiana law: “The bill confuses the purpose of the Hate Crimes Act and weakens its impact by adding more categories of people, who are already better protected under other laws.”

Read more: http://gawker.com/blue-lives-matter-bill-making-attacks-on-police-offic-1778165084

Suddenly, The Right Wing finds some merit in a hate crime classification. :roflmao:

[FindersKeepers]

I don't see a reason for this bill. Of course, I don't see a reason for any "hate" crime legislation. A crime is a crime.

[TrueBlue]

"Blue Lives Matter" Bill Making Attacks on Police Officers a Hate Crime Set to Pass in Louisiana

Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is set to sign a bill into law that would classify any violent attack on police officers, firefighters, and EMS personnel a hate crime. According to The Root, the so-called Blue Lives Matter bill is the first of its kind.

Anti-Defamation League Regional Director Allison Padilla-Goodman pointed out that crimes against police officers are already aggressively prosecuted under Louisiana law: “The bill confuses the purpose of the Hate Crimes Act and weakens its impact by adding more categories of people, who are already better protected under other laws.”

Read more: http://gawker.com/blue-lives-matter-bill-making-attacks-on-police-offic-1778165084

Suddenly, The Right Wing finds some merit in a hate crime classification. :roflmao:
Ah yes, Louisiana, the Red Republican state. Figures.

[Crepitus]

So "cop" is now a race?

[Cigar]

So "cop" is now a race?


A good question for the people writing the Bill

[Peter1469]

Louisiana already has a sentencing enhancer for crimes against police. This isn't needed. Probably pandering to police unions. And not wanting to vote against the law for various reasons.

[Ethereal]

It's a dumb law, but I support federalism, so if that's what Louisiana wants to do, then that's their prerogative.

[waltky]

Targeting officers and firefighters is now a hate crime in Louisiana...
:cool2:
Louisiana Becomes First State to Make Targeting Officers a Hate Crime
May 27, 2016 - The legislation, which has been dubbed the "Blue Lives Matter" law, expands the state hate crime law and ultimately increase penalties for crimes targeting law enforcement and firefighters.


The legislation, which has been dubbed the "Blue Lives Matter" law expands the state hate crime law and ultimately increase penalties for certain crimes that target law enforcement and firefighters in Louisiana, including assault and arson. It passed the Legislature with little resistance, According to data from the National Conference of State Legislatures, no state has gone so far as to include law enforcement or firefighters among protected classes in hate crime laws.

Under Louisiana's hate crime statute, people convicted of felonies against protected classes face an additional five years in prison and up to $5,000 fine. In misdemeanor cases, the hate crime statute increases penalties by $500 or up to six months in prison. Those increased penalties will now be extended for any victim who is targeted based upon his or her actual or perceived employment as a law enforcement officer or firefighter. Critics of such efforts have argued that hate crime laws traditionally have been reserved for traits like race, gender, religion, nationality or sexual orientation, and aren't meant to be extended to occupations.

Under current Louisiana law, hate crime charges can be brought in some criminal cases in which the victim is targeted based on race, age, gender, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, creed, sexual orientation or organizational affiliation. Edwards, whose family includes several law enforcement members, said that he saw value in extending such protections. "The men and women who put their lives on the line every day, often under very dangerous circumstances are true heroes and they deserve every protection that we can give them," Edwards, a Democrat, said in a statement. "They serve and protect our communities and our families. The overarching message is that hate crimes will not be tolerated in Louisiana."

Supporters of the push have pointed to high-profile attacks on police and firefighters as evidence for its need, but it also serves as a controversial counter to the "Black Lives Matter" advocacy effort that has drawn attention to violence against African-Americans, particularly at the hands of law enforcement. The New Orleans Chapter of Black Youth Project 100 said in a statement that its members were disappointed in Edwards' decision to sign the legislation into law. "There is absolutely no reason to include the police under hate crime protections, no one is targeting them. But Black women, girls, femmes and transgender people are being targeted everyday including by the police," BYP100 New Orleans chapter Anneke DunbarGronke said in the statement.

http://www.officer.com/news/12213336/louisiana-becomes-first-state-to-make-targeting-officers-a-hate-crime

[leekohler2]

Suddenly, The Right Wing finds some merit in a hate crime classification. :roflmao:

The irony is thick. ;)

As unnecessary as it is, I have no particular issue with this law.

[Peter1469]

Louisiana already has a sentencing enhancer for crimes against police. This isn't needed. Probably pandering to police unions. And not wanting to vote against the law for various reasons.


Maybe people will pick up on the truth.

[maineman]

I read where in addition to cops, attacks on smurfs are a hate crime too!

[sachem]

I don't see a reason for this bill. Of course, I don't see a reason for any "hate" crime legislation. A crime is a crime.I agree.