1/ Hi everyone - it’s Judy Shepard (@WyoJudyShepard) and Louvon Harris. We are joining @HRC today for a #HRCTwitterTakeover to discuss how Brett Kavanaugh’s nomination potentially threatens hate crimes protections nationwide. #StopKavanaugh
2/ I'm the mother of Matthew Shepard, who was killed because he was gay. In honor of Matthew, our family began the Shepard Foundation, working to erase hate by replacing it with understanding, compassion & acceptance. - @WyoJudyShepard #HRCTwitterTakeover matthewshepard.org 
3/ I am the sister of James Byrd, who was killed because of his race. In remembrance of James, our family began the Byrd Foundation for Racial Healing. We are working to promote healing and diversity through education. - Louvon Harris #HRCTwitterTakeover thebyrdfoundation.org
4/ On Day 4 of Kavanaugh’s SCOTUS hearing, we’re still being denied access to much of his record, including docs from his time at the W. Bush White House when Bush fought our efforts to create inclusive, effective hate crimes law. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
5/ At the time, existing hate crimes law covered a narrow class of crimes. Jurisdiction was limited, and it offered no protection if you were attacked because of your gender identity or sexual orientation. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover hrc.org/resources/hate…
6/ Federal law did not protect Matthew, who was tortured and left for dead on an October night in 1998 in Wyoming. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover matthewshepard.org/about-us/
7/ Federal law was ineffective in protecting James, who was dragged to his death in chains behind a truck in East Texas that same year. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover thebyrdfoundation.org/about/45942973…
8/ Matthew was killed because he was gay. James because he was African American. They were both killed by the dark forces of hate that prey upon the innocent and terrorize entire communities. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
9/ In remembrance of Matthew and James, and so that families like ours would see better justice done, we fought for a federal law with more effective, comprehensive protections. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover hrc.org/resources/hate…
10/ The Bush administration opposed us. As staff secretary, Kavanaugh would have had input as the White House and their allies ignored our pleas and worked against passing inclusive hate crimes legislation. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover nbcnews.com/politics/congr…
11/ Some of those who worked against us then now hold some of the highest positions of power in this current administration, including AG Sessions, Secretary Pompeo, and anti-LGBTQ extremist Mike Pence. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
12/ Then-Rep. @Mike_Pence believed hate crimes law "served no practical purpose" and that covering sexual orientation and gender identity would have a "chilling effect" on religious leaders. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover hrc.org/realmikepence
13/ Only later, and with the strong support of President Barack Obama, were we able to pass the Matthew Shepard & James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act (HCPA) in 2009. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover hrc.org/blog/commemora…
14/ To this day, we don’t know what Kavanaugh’s position or role was in the decision to oppose hate crimes legislation. We don’t know if he would uphold the HCPA if it came before him sitting on our nation’s most powerful court. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
15/ We don’t know because @ChuckGrassley and @SenateMajLdr decided that these records are unimportant. We don’t know because they have chosen ruthless expediency over fairness and integrity. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover washingtonpost.com/opinions/repub…
16/ We — the families of Matthew & James — demand answers. With reported hate crimes on the rise, we need to know that the HCPA will continue to protect countless Americans. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover naacp.org/latest/naacp-s…
17/ We need to know that families like ours — who will forever grieve these terrible, brutal losses — will at least have a real chance to see justice. - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
18/18 In the history of our country, far too many families have been denied justice and answers. Will you deny us answers now? #ReleaseTheRecords - @WyoJudyShepard & Louvon #HRCTwitterTakeover
