|
Press Release
National Asian
Pacific American Legal Consortium
Press Release
For Immediate Release
June 7, 2002
Contact:
Vincent Eng
202-296-2300 x 121
Link To Release:
http://www.napalc.org/programs/antiviolence/pr/2002-06-10_LLEEA.htm
What’s New on the NAPALC
Website
NAPALC Strongly Supports the Senate Introduction the Local Law Enforcement
Enhancement Act
Washington, D.C.—The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium (NAPALC),
together with its Affiliates—the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund
(AALDEF) and the Asian Pacific American Legal Center (APALC)—strongly supports
the Senate’s introduction of the Local Law Enforcement Enhancement Act (S. 625)
sponsored by Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA).
The legislation was introduced on June 7th, and NAPALC believes that the Local
Law Enforcement Enhancement Act is an important step forward in bolstering
existing federal hate crime laws. In light of the September 11th attacks and the
spate of unprecedented violence against the APA community, there is an urgent
need for more expansive hate crimes legislation.
Under the bill, federal prosecutors will be given wider authority to provide
state and local authorities with assistance regardless if the hate crime victim
was engaged in a federally protected activity or if the hate crime was committed
within a federal jurisdiction. In addition, targets based on gender, sexual
orientation, and disability are ensured protective coverage. Currently, federal
hate crime law only covers crimes based on race, national origin, and religion.
Karen K. Narasaki, Executive Director and President of NAPALC said, “June 19th,
2002 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American
who was brutally beaten and killed by auto-workers who saw Chin as a scapegoat
to their own economic problems. Chin’s perpetrators were only fined $3000 and
only sentenced to three years probation. The introduction of the LLEEA marks a
clear opportunity for the Senate to demonstrate their seriousness in addressing
the realities and difficulties in the investigation and enforcement of hate
crime.”
Stewart Kwoh, Executive Director of APALC said, “This hate crime legislation is
crucial to strengthening law enforcement’s efforts to prosecute the persons who
commit these horrible crimes. All citizens should be able to live free of the
fear that hate crimes perpetuate not only for the victim but also for the
victim’s community.”
“The vigorous prosecution of hate crimes must not be a partisan issue. Our
elected officials should take immediate action to protect all individuals and
communities targeted by these vicious crimes,” said Margaret Fung, Executive
Director of AALDEF.
# # #
The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium is a national civil rights
organization dedicated to advancing and defending the civil rights of Asian
Pacific Americans. The Asian Law Caucus of San Francisco is the oldest Asian
Pacific American legal group in the nation. The Asian American Legal Defense and
Education Fund is the first organization on the East Coast dedicated to
promoting the legal rights of Asian Americans. The Asian Pacific American Legal
Center is the only organization in Southern California dedicated to providing
the Asian Pacific American community with multilingual, culturally sensitive
legal services and civic education.
Vincent A. Eng
Legal Director
National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium
1140 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. - Suite 1200
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 296-2300, x121 Facsimile: (202) 296-2318
URL: http:\\www.napalc.org
Back |
