Washington, DC – The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund, the nation’s oldest Sikh American civil rights and advocacy organization, applauds members of the U.S. House of Representatives for passing the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Hate Crimes Prevention Act (LLEEA). The bill was approved, with 223 votes for and 199 against, as an amendment to the Children’s Safety Act of 2005. The legislation, which still must pass through the Senate and be signed by the President, is critical to the Sikh American Community. The LLEEA is intended to strengthen the ability of federal, state, and local governments to investigate and prosecute hate crimes based on race, ethnic background, religion, gender, sexual orientation, and disability. The bill helps state and local anti-bias efforts by enabling the Justice Department to assist them in the investigation and prosecution of hate crimes. “Hate violence is rooted in prejudice and is meant to intimidate entire communities,” said Mirin Kaur Phool, SALDEF President. “Sikh Americans have long suffered from violence based on discrimination, and although legislation cannot expunge hate from our society, this bill sends a clear message that these insidious acts of violence run counter to America’s promise of freedom and tolerance.” The bill will also allow the federal government greater ability to aid local and state agency efforts in prosecuting, investigating, and preventing hate crimes. The House bill had strong bipartisan support and was endorsed by more than 175 law enforcement, civil rights, civic, and religious organizations, including SALDEF. The similar bill currently pending in the Senate has 44 co-sponsors, and SALDEF strongly supports this bill as well.
