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HATE CRIMES

Top Democrats Speak Out Against Anti-Gay Racist Hate Crime Attack on ‘Empire’ Star Jussie Smollett

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Several top Democratic lawmakers are responding to the news of the horrific anti-gay and racist hate crime attack against “Empire” star Jussie Smollett.

Smollett was reportedly attacked by two men who beat him, poured bleach on him, and wrapped a noose around his neck. They also told him, “This is MAGA country,” according to TMZ. He suffered a fractured rib and has since been released from a Chicago hospital.

Top Democrats were among the first to respond. Among them, Senators Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, Cory Booker of New Jersey, and Kamala Harris of California. Former Obama Cabinet Secretary Julián Castro of Texas spoke out as well.

“We are all responsible for condemning this behavior and every person who enables or normalizes it,” Senator Gillibrand said on Twitter.

Senator Booker called it “an attempted modern-day lynching,” and urged members of Congress to support his legislation “designating lynching as a federal hate crime.”

The Advocate’s Zach Stafford reports Senator Kamala Harris of California took to the Senate floor, saying, “It’s outrageous. I know Jussie – he is one of the kindest most gentle people I have ever met. It’s awful.”

She is co-sponsoring the anti-lynching bill with Sen. Booker and “is using the incident to highlight” it.

This from former HUD Secretary Julián Castro:

U.S. Rep. Mark Takano of California also responded, calling the attack “a hate crime, and saying: “We must confront it and protect our communities against violence and hate.”

And U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois:

No word from President Donald Trump or any Republicans at all.

UPDATE: 9:43 PM ET –
Speaker Pelosi:

 

NCRM will update this story with additional responses from lawmakers as we find them. If you see one we have not included, email us at editor at thenewcivilrightsmovement.com

Image via Wikimedia

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HATE CRIMES

One Killed in ‘Terrorist Attack Against the LGBT Community’: Fort Lauderdale Mayor

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3 years ago

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June 19, 2021

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Two people were struck by a pickup Truck at a Pride parade in Wilton Manors, Florida.

“One of the victims has died, said Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis, who was at the parade,” Local 10 News reports. “The white pickup truck was lined up with other floats when it hit the gas and ran over two people standing by to take part in the parade on Wilton Drive, as Local 10 News reporter Christian De La Rosa witnessed.”

The surviving victim is in critical condition at Broward Health Medical Center.

“The truck narrowly missed hitting U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who was in a convertible participating in the parade,” the newspaper reported.

Mayor Trantalis blasted the incident as a terrorist attack.

“This is a terrorist attack against the LGBT community,” Trantalis said. “This is exactly what it is. Hardly an accident. It was deliberate, it was premeditated, and it was targeted against a specific person. Luckily they missed that person, but unfortunately, they hit two other people.”

There is a suspect in custody.

 

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HATE CRIMES

180 House Republicans Just Voted Against Condemning Anti-Asian Hate After Atlanta Spa Shootings

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3 years ago

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May 19, 2021

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Wednesday afternoon the U.S. House of Representatives voted 244-180 to pass a resolution condemning anti-Asian hate, after eight people, including seven Asian Americans, six of whom were women, were shot and killed at spas in Atlanta, Georgia in a series of hate crime mass shootings last month.

All 180 “no” votes were from Republicans. No Democrats voted against the resolution.

Among the “no” votes were Georgia Republican Representatives Rick Allen, Andrew Clyde, Marjorie Taylor Greene, Jody Hice, and Barry Loudermilk. Congressman Loudermilk represents part of the area where the killings took place.

The text is quite simple.

“Condemning the horrific shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, on March 16, 2021, and reaffirming the House of Representative’s commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and violence against the Asian-American and Pacific Islander community.”

The resolution says, “the people of the United States mourn the 8 innocent lives lost, 7 of whom were women, 6 of whom were women of Asian descent, and several of whom were immigrants.” It lists the victims’ names: Xiaojie “Emily” Tan, Daoyou Feng, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Yong Ae Yue, Soon Chung “Julie” Park, Hyun Jung Grant, and Sun Cha Kim.

And offers details honoring their lives, like this: “49-year-old Xiaojie ‘Emily’ Tan, a hardworking mother and the owner of 1 of the spas, was a dedicated and caring business owner who is survived by her daughter and husband.”

And this: “63-year-old Yong Ae Yue was a mother of 2 sons who was known for her kindness and generosity and her love of her pet Shih Tzu.”

The resolution also says that the House of Representatives “condemns the heinous and inexcusable acts of gun violence that led to the tragic loss of 8 lives,” “condemns any racism and sexism in the choice of the shooter to target Asian-owned businesses and murder 7 women, 6 of whom were of Asian descent,” ” honors the memory of the victims, offers heartfelt condolences to their families,” and “reaffirms the commitment of the United States Federal Government to combat hate, bigotry, and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to prevent tragedies like this from ever happening again.”

 

 

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HATE CRIMES

Watch: Shocking Video Shows Man Stomping 65-Year-Old Asian-American Woman

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3 years ago

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March 29, 2021

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On Monday, New York City reporter CeFaan Kim posted horrific details of an attack in which a man brutally attacked a 65-year-old Asian-American woman, captured on the security footage from the lobby of a nearby building.

The man, shouting “f*ck you, you don’t belong here,” kicked the woman to the ground and then stomped on her before she could get up. According to Kim, the security guard in the building refused to render the victim aid, and closed the door on her.

“Victim is currently hospitalized with swelling to the face, pain in left leg,” reported Kim, noting that the NYPD hate crimes unit is now investigating the incident.

 

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