In the current issue of Street Roots, there is an article on the recent decision by Seattle's City Council to include the homeless in their hate crimes ordinance:
Seattle’s homeless are now afforded
status as a protected group under
the city’s hate crime law.
In December, the Seattle City Council
approved an amendment that adds
homelessness to its protected classes
under the city’s “malicious harassment”ordinance
In making the decision, Seattle took notice of the increase in violent attacks against the homeless, nation wide. Evidently Seattle is the seventh most dangerous city in America for the homeless. The state of Maryland has already made this adjustment to their hate crimes laws. California and Florida are also addressing this issue at the state level.
I wonder where Portland is on that list.
It remains to be seen what the impact will be, it's nice to see this issue being taken seriously. .And here is the rest of it.
2 comments:
Isn't attacking someone already a crime?? More useless laws that won't be enforced.
Attacking someone is a crime, but a hate crime is based on prejudice, and to violently harm a defenseless homeless person is just plain ignorant and cruel. and I do hope that law is enforced, those people have a rough time as it is. I just hope they know there are people who really care.
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