President Biden on Thursday signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act after the House of Representatives voted to approve it this week. Why it matt

Biden signs anti-Asian hate crimes bill into law

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2021-05-20 19:30:08

President Biden on Thursday signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act after the House of Representatives voted to approve it this week.

Why it matters: The legislation is one of the federal government's first effort to address the rise of anti-Asian attacks during the pandemic, with one in four Asian Americans saying that they have experienced a hate incident.

What they're saying: "I believe with every fiber of my being, that there are simple core values and beliefs that should bring us together as Americans. One of them is standing together against hate, against racism — the ugly poison that has long haunted and plagued our nation," Biden said in a speech ahead of the signing.

Details: The bill directs the Justice Department to expedite the review of coronavirus-related hate crimes, and to issue guidance to state and local law enforcement officials on how to create online strategies to report such crimes.

Between the lines: Over 75 Asian and LGBTQ organizations urged Congress to oppose the legislation last week, arguing it would only bolster policing and disproportionately hurt marginalized communities. Lawmakers maintained that it would boost hate crime tracking and not policing.

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