[Imc-newsroom] Hate Crimes and Harrassment Discussion before Urbana Council

[Pauline Bartolone]

Who can cover this? Record it, write about it, etc?

>
>
>The the wake of community reports of harrassment and violence towards
>Arab-Americans, people of color, and pacifists in town ...
>
>Urbana City Council will be talking about local hate crimes and the
>harrassment of pacifists this Monday, Nov. 12 at 7:30 PM in Urbana City
>Council Chambers at 400 S. Vine St near Illinois St.
>
>"A hate crime is a criminal offense committed against persons,
>property or society that is motivated, in whole or in part, by an
>offender's bias against an individual's or a group's race,
>religion, ethnic/national origin, gender, age, disability or sexual
>orientation."
>
>It would be very useful to have people come and share their experiences,
>opinions, and advice with council, whether the experiences come in the
>wake of 9-11 or not.  The public input section of the meeting occurs
>shortly after 7:30 PM.
>
>If a person can not or does not wish to speak publically, they can e-mail
>me and I will share their input (anonymously if they wish):
>danielle at onthejob.net.
>
>thanks,
>
>Danielle Chynoweth
>Urbana City Council
>Ward 4
>
>----------------------------------------------------------------------
>More information:
>
>The police have been asked to report on:
>
>1. Is there an increase of hate crimes in our town since 9-11?  By what
>amount (are there statistics)?  What has been the nature of these crimes?
>
>2. There are numerous reports in the community of harrassment, death
>threats, and destruction of property of people in town because of their
>political and/or religious stance against the war.  Has the police
>department been getting an influx of reports such as these?  How has the
>police department responded?
>
>3. Has the Urbana police department been in contact with the UI and
>Champaign police department about a rise in hate crimes and strategies to
>respond to this?
>
>4. Are hate crimes distingusihed from other crimes in reporting?
>
>5. How do the police respond to hate crimes?
>
>6. What should the public do if they are victim or witness to a hate
>crime?
>
>
>Here are the goals of raising this issue as, I see it:
>
>1. Raise public awareness about hate crimes and the harrassment of
>pacifists.
>
>2. Strengthen community resolve to oppose and report hate crimes.
>
>3. Inform council if there is an increase in hate crimes so that council
>can take action.
>
>4. Alter police reporting systems if necessary so that hate crimes can be
>tracked more easily.
>
>
>
>_______________________________________________
>Peace mailing list
>Peace at lists.groogroo.com
>http://lists.cu.groogroo.com/cgi-bin/listinfo/peace


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