RI House passes hate crimes reporting legislation

Marriage Equality Rhode Island (MERI) on Feb. 8 celebrated the passage of hate crimes reporting legislation by the House of Representatives. The vote adds gender identity and expression to ensure that all hate crimes will be reported and tracked. The legislation will now move to the Senate.

"On behalf of the tens of thousands of equality supporters across Rhode Island, we commend and thank Rep. Edith Ajello and those state representatives who voted in favor of including gender identity and expression in the hate crimes reporting law," said Marriage Equality Rhode Island Campaign Director Ray Sullivan. "While there is much more that our state must do to stop violence and hate crimes of any nature, this is an important first step in protecting a group of citizens that for too long have been unjustly targeted and in some cases maliciously attacked for no other reason than being who they are.

"It is critically important that these crimes be reported and tracked, and we look forward to working with members of the General Assembly to make sure such crimes are appropriately prosecuted and that the perpetrators are punished to the fullest extent of the law. We urge the Senate to quickly take up this bill and send it to Gov. Chafee for his signature."