Bias-motivated crimes are disturbing. Each and every one.
They are disturbing because they target not only the direct victim, but the victim's community. They are disturbing because they are motivated by ignorance and prejudice.
Unfortunately, bias-motivated crimes continue to occur.
They occur because homophobia exists.
They occur because transphobia exists.
They occur because racism exists.
They occur because anti-Semitism exists.
They occur because Islamophobia exists.
They occur because bigotry exists.
They occur because prejudice exists.
Each and every bias-motivated crime is disturbing. Yet, we cannot expect to eliminate bias-motivated crimes until we eliminate the ignorance and the prejudice that fuel their existence.
That is why it is critically important how we, (where "we" includes all segments and sub-communities of our larger community) respond to incidents of bias-motivated crime. Those speaking out against gay-bashing should not be limited to lesbians and gays. People speaking out against violence committed against the gender-diverse should not be limited to transgender citizens. Those who speak out in opposition to racism should not be limited to persons of color. Religious-based intolerance should not addressed solely by members of a targeted religion.
Earlier this month, the Anti-Defamation League together with Austin City Council Members Sheryl Cole, Laura Morrison and Randi Shade, convened the first meeting of what will become a Hate Crimes Task Force Working Group for the Austin metropolitan area. The working group includes law enforcement (city, county, UT, and AISD), prosecutors (city and county), and numerous advocacy and civil rights organizations, including Equality Texas.
The Task Force Working Group will be seeking both short-term and long-term solutions to bias-motivated crime. In the short-term, this includes how to quickly and appropriately respond to incidents of bias-motivated crime so that perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. Apprehension and prosecution are the most concrete and visible signs that a community will not stand for bias-motivated crime. Longer-term efforts will seek to address and reduce prejudice and ignorance within the community.
In the case of Bobby Beltran and Christopher Ortega, the most current, critical need is assistance from the community in apprehending the perpetrators of these assaults. No one can be prosecuted if no is apprehended. There are numerous bystanders who witnessed the assaults on Bobby Beltran and Christopher Ortega. It is imperative these witnesses step forward and tell investigators what they saw. Anyone who witnessed these assaults is urged to contact the Austin Police Department at 512-974-5000.
Each and every bias-motivated crime is disturbing. Please help your community to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators of this one.
Posted by Chuck Smith
Deputy Executive Director, Equality Texas
