Recently a Michigan woman walking home from work was brutally attacked by a group of men. The woman, who chose to remain nameless, had been on a local news broadcast earlier about her same sex marriage and her attackers used that to validate their actions. Most people would immediately assume that this crime qualifies as a hate crime and should be processed as such; however, Michigan is one of 19 states in the country who doesn't recognize sexual orientation under the umbrella of hate crimes. While organizations in the Michigan area are levying for the inclusion of the sexual orientation clause, there hasn't been any discernible progress with lawmakers. Some parties argue that the inclusion belittles the assault of heterosexual individuals for their suffering doesn't qualify as a hate crime. Despite this opposition the fore mentioned groups, who have been pursuing the cause for years, aren't letting it slow them down. They are, in fact looking to the US attorney's office to see if a federal trial will better suit the circumstances surrounding the case. Their motives are clear, until every person can walk down the street and feel content in their safety, beyond a shadow of a doubt, they will push lawmakers to make penalties for hate driven offenses more severe.
I think its kind of ridiculous that there is any opposition to the sexual orientation clause. I mean, this was a textbook case where the perpetrators even stated their purpose was driven by an acute hatred, yet the law says that doesn't qualify as a hate crime? While the circumstances here as horrific, I hope they illuminate the need for alterations with how the law is now. This should be a catalyst to get Michigan politicians and the public concerned and interested. I hope the victim receives justice, whether that be by a shift in state mentality or in federal court.
http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/05/us/michigan-hate-crime-attack/index.html?hpt=us_c2
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