Today, Congress introduced the “Protect and Serve Act” which says it addresses violence against law enforcement.
But this bill serves no purpose other than to further dangerous and divisive narratives that there is a ‘war on police.’
But this bill serves no purpose other than to further dangerous and divisive narratives that there is a ‘war on police.’
In the House version, a new criminal statute for offenses against police is superfluous, given the many existing federal and state laws that protect law enforcement officers specifically.
The Senate version moves to classify violence against a police officer a hate crime under federal law. It's nothing short of offensive to historically persecuted and marginalized communities across this country.
Federal hate crimes laws were passed to correct the centuries of inaction and injustice that too often was the response to violence based on immutable traits and identities, including race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability.
There's no possible interpretation where being a law enforcement officer fits that definition.
Congress should vote this down quickly and decisively.
Congress should vote this down quickly and decisively.
