In response to the alarming increase in hate crimes in New York and across the nation, the New York State Bar Association is advocating for significant legal reforms through the proposed Hate Crimes Modernization Act.
The act aims to broaden the scope of offenses classified as hate crimes, adding charges such as graffiti, criminal obstruction of breathing and third-degree rape to the list. This initiative is part of the recommendations from the association’s Task Force on Combating Antisemitism and Anti-Asian Hate, which also suggests improvements in reporting, prosecuting hate crimes, and combating hate speech online.
“Hate does not belong in our communities, and the victims of hate crimes — no matter what their race or religion is — need the law to take their pain seriously,” said Richard Lewis, president of the New York State Bar Association.
“As antisemitism and anti-Asian hate have increased, this has become more important,” Lewis said. “I thank the task force for their thorough examination of existing law and laying the groundwork for improvement. We urge the Legislature to pass the Hate Crimes Modernization Act, along with all other necessary changes that this task force has identified.”
Photo: Mario Belluomo/Brooklyn Eagle
These recommendations come against a backdrop of growing antisemitic and anti-Asian incidents. The Anti-Defamation League reported a sharp increase in antisemitic incidents following the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas, with an average of nearly 28 incidents per day. Similarly, Anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City surged by 800 percent in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, a trend that has persisted.
The association urges the Legislature to pass the Hate Crimes…
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