Did you know…
Hate crimes in Massachusetts are felonies punishable by up to ten years in prison. A hate crime is defined as “any criminal act coupled with overt actions motivated by bigotry and bias including, but not limited to, a threatened, attempted or completed overt act motivated at least in part by racial, religious, ethnic, handicap, gender or sexual orientation prejudice, or which otherwise deprives another person of his constitutional rights by threats, intimidation or coercion, or which seek to interfere with or disrupt a person's exercise of constitutional rights through harassment or intimidation.[1]
These are very serious cases which are often prosecuted by the State Attorney General’s Office. The Attorney General’s Office also enforces the Massachusetts Civil Rights Act ("MCRA," M.G.L. c. 12, s. 11H-11J), which protects the rights of all residents and visitors to Massachusetts against threats and interference with their civil rights. The MCRA protects the right to use public parks, attend schools, live peacefully, and enjoy other basic rights free from bias-motivated threats, intimidation, coercion and violence. These rights are the heart of our safety, well-being and freedom. The MCRA authorizes the Attorney General's Office to pursue legal action against those who deprive others of their civil rights through intimidation, threats, coercion or violence. [2]
A recent example of a hate crime occurred in Springfield, MA in November 2008 when two Springfield residents who were upset at the election of Barack Obama as President of the United States burned down a predominately Afro-American church that was under construction. Both had expressed their hatred of Afro-Americans and were outraged that an Afro-American was going to be President. They are going to trial this month in Springfield and are charged with several federal crimes that include “conspiracy against rights of citizens and damage or destruction to religious property”. This offense is being prosecuted by the U.S. District Attorney in federal court.
This example shows that hate crimes do not have to be directed at a particular person but can be against a race or religion.
For further information on hate crimes visit the following websites:
