Attack on student fits federal hate-crime definition
Cuong D. Nguyen
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: News
by a Lawrence student, the
campus policy for harassment would
also apply, in addition to federal
and local policies on hate crimes.
She pointed out that students are
encouraged to ask security for an
escort whenever they feel unsafe.
By law, such behavior is considered
a hate crime. According to
Wisconsin law, the maximum punishment
for a hate crime misdemeanor
is a $10,000 fine and one
year in the county jail.
The attack occurred following
signing of the Mathew Shepard Act
by President Obama Oct. 28. This
bill expands the definition of a hate
crime to include gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity and disability
and gives the federal government
authority to prosecute violent antigay
crimes when local authorities
do not.
The Fox River Valley lies on
the border between Wisconsin
Congressional Districts 6 and 8, with
Appleton just falling into District
8. The representatives from these
districts were split on the bill, which
passed 281 for and 146 against.
Democrat Steve Kagen from District
8 voted for the bill, while Tom Petri,
a Republican from District 6, encompassing
the rest of the Fox River valley,
voted against the bill.
campus policy for harassment would
also apply, in addition to federal
and local policies on hate crimes.
She pointed out that students are
encouraged to ask security for an
escort whenever they feel unsafe.
By law, such behavior is considered
a hate crime. According to
Wisconsin law, the maximum punishment
for a hate crime misdemeanor
is a $10,000 fine and one
year in the county jail.
The attack occurred following
signing of the Mathew Shepard Act
by President Obama Oct. 28. This
bill expands the definition of a hate
crime to include gender, sexual orientation,
gender identity and disability
and gives the federal government
authority to prosecute violent antigay
crimes when local authorities
do not.
The Fox River Valley lies on
the border between Wisconsin
Congressional Districts 6 and 8, with
Appleton just falling into District
8. The representatives from these
districts were split on the bill, which
passed 281 for and 146 against.
Democrat Steve Kagen from District
8 voted for the bill, while Tom Petri,
a Republican from District 6, encompassing
the rest of the Fox River valley,
voted against the bill.
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