As the fallout continues from yet another attack on Black Americans motivated by racism, some people are calling for an anti-Black hate crime bill to address racist criminal actions that specifically target Black people.
This follows news about an armed white man, police identified as Jeffrey Harris, who attempted to enter a predominantly Black church in Pennsylvania but was turned away the day after the deadly shooting at a Jacksonville Dollar Tree where three Black people were shot.
It’s believed that had Harris been welcomed inside, another racially motivated attack might have happened. Police found an explosive, crystal meth, several weapons and a handwritten note scribbled with notes and plans about a mass shooting.
In response to the news, some people on social media have called for an anti-Black crime bill and suggested that churches need armed security measures to help prevent possible attacks.
“Where is our anti-Black crime bill?” two Instagram users asked.
Related: ‘She Wasn’t Even Supposed to be There’: Two of Victims of the Racist Jacksonville Shooter Were Simply Working When They Were Gunned Down; Families Grapple with Pain
“This is why churches need fully armed guards, and rover patrols,” another user wrote.
“I pray our institutions and organizations continue to take proper caution, vetting these vile vermin who attempt to enter safe spaces to do harm,” another person commented.
While there is a federal hate crimes statute, there is no law on the books that addresses hate crimes exclusively against Black people. The current statute passed in 1968, is a broader measure that makes it a crime to use force or threaten to use force against any person because of their race, color, faith or national origin.
In May 2021, President Joe Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, which condemns racial…
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