By a vote of 60 to 39, the Senate passed the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which would permit federal prosecution of hate crimes based on a person’s actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.
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The National Organization for Women (NOW) is urging its Maryland members to speak out against a rush to judgment in the Ocean City stillbirth case. Christy Freeman is being charged under a 2005 state “fetal homicide” law that makes it illegal to kill “a viable fetus,” despite a provision in the law that was intended to protect pregnant women from prosecution for actions that result in their own fetus’ death, such as abortion.
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“The passage of this bill is significant to the National Organization for Women because we have fought for the last 15 years for an inclusive law that would protect all of those who were excluded from previous hate crime laws,” said NOW President Kim Gandy.
The National Organization for Women has been a leading advocate in the United States for the rights of women for over forty years. NOW’s mission is to fight against discrimination and seek to bring full equality to girls and women regardless of their age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, physical and intellectual abilities, marital or socio-economic status.
“Stem cell research is a woman’s issue through and through,” said NOW President Kim Gandy. “The research supported by this bill could someday help alleviate the suffering as well as the mental and financial stress associated with many chronic and fatal diseases,” said Gandy.–
The National Organization for Women is proud to stand today with Senators Kennedy and Smith they introduce the Local Law Enforcement Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a law that will penalize and help to prevent hate-based violent crimes. The most comprehensive hate crimes legislation ever introduced in Congress, this law will finally classify as hate crimes certain violent, criminal acts that are motivated by the victim’s gender, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.
NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy says, “NOW PAC’s ‘Make History With Hillary’ campaign will organize and energize women’s rights supporters across the country — urging women and men across this nation to stand up and say “I’m Ready” for a woman president — for this woman president.”
The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee will mark Women’s History Month with a press conference at the landmark Sewall-Belmont House, historic home of the National Women’s Suffrage Association, on Wednesday, March 28. NOW PAC Chair Kim Gandy and a special guest will make a major announcement regarding the 2008 election.