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EGACY Yesterday. Today. Tomorrow.

WEDNESDAYS • Nov. 21, 2018

INSIDE

Tackling violence in Gilpin - 4 Henrico teachers celebrated - 5 Local health districts unify - 13 Call for new economic model - 14

Richmond & Hampton Roads

LEGACYNEWSPAPER.COM • FREE

Protecting Virginians from white supremacist violence A package of legislation has recently been unveiled that will protect Virginians from the rise in hate crimes and white supremacist violence occurring in Virginia and around the country. A package of bills from the attorney general’s office will update the commonwealth’s hate crime and domestic terrorism laws, protect Virginians from violence and intimidation by hate groups and white supremacists, and make it harder for hate groups and white supremacists to threaten, intimidate, or hurt Virginians with firearms. Over the last five years, hate crimes in Virginia have risen by about 65 percent, and in 2017 alone, hate crimes increased by nearly 50 percent. “In Virginia and across the country we are seeing hate turn deadly with frightening frequency. It is well past time to acknowledge the threat posed by hate and white supremacist violence and take action to stop it,” said Attorney General Mark Herring. “We have to make it absolutely clear that white supremacist and extremist violence will not be tolerated in Virginia, and we need to do more than just say it. We have to pair our words with action. We must give our law enforcement agencies the tools they need to identify and prevent acts of violence and threats to our communities, and we must make it clear to vulnerable communities that they will be protected and cared for because they are important parts of our Virginia family.

“Over the past several sessions I have introduced legislation to address the rise in hate crimes and white supremacist violence, but nothing has been done and the threat continues to grow. That must end. “I’m putting these ideas forward and convening these roundtables because it’s time for action. I will do everything I can and work with

anyone who wants to ensure that all Virginians are protected from hate and violence, no matter what they look like, how they worship, where they come from, or who they love.” A recently released report from the Virginia State Police shows that hate crimes in Virginia rose by nearly 50 percent from 2016 to 2017. Over the last 5 years, hate

crimes in Virginia have risen by about 65 percent. Last year there were a total of 202 hate crimes in the state, including 38 raciallymotivated assaults, 44 raciallymotivated acts of vandalism/ property destruction, and 32 acts of religious-motivated vandalism/ property destruction. Continued on Page 2


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