Hate crime in the USA refers to criminal offenses that are motivated by bias or prejudice against a particular group of people based on their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender, or disability. These crimes can include physical violence, harassment, vandalism, and other forms of intimidation.
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According to the latest FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigation) report, Sikhs stood in the second position as the most targeted religious group in hate-motivated crimes in the US in 2021. Hindus and Muslims made up 1% and 9.5% of the 1,005 offenses recorded that year, respectively, and Jews stood at the top position.
Hate crimes against Sikh people in the United States have been a growing concern in recent years. Sikhs are often targeted for violence and discrimination due to their distinctive appearance, which includes wearing turbans and long beards, as well as their religious beliefs.
According to the Sikh Coalition, a civil rights organization that advocates for the Sikh community, there have been over 200 reported cases of these crimes against Sikhs in the US since the September 11th attacks in 2001. These incidents include physical assaults, verbal harassment, vandalism of Sikh gurdwaras (places of worship), and even murders.
Here are some of the most infamous hate crimes against Sikh people that have received international attention:
- Oak Creek, Wisconsin shooting (2012): On August 5, 2012, a white supremacist named Wade Michael Page walked into the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek and opened fire, killing six people and injuring four others before taking his own life.
- Fresno, California shooting (2016): In April 2016, Kori Ali Muhammad went on a shooting spree in Fresno, killing four people, including three Sikh men. Muhammad reportedly targeted the men because of their race and appearance.
- Kent, Washington shooting (2017): In March 2017, a Sikh man named Deep Rai was shot in his driveway in Kent, Washington, by a white male who shouted “go back to your own country” before firing.
- Indianapolis FedEx shooting (2021): In April 2021, a gunman opened fire at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, killing eight people, including four Sikh employees. The motive for the shooting is still unclear, but it is being investigated as a potential hate crime.
- The assault of a Sikh man in California (2020), in which the attacker yelled racial slurs and beat the victim with a pipe.
Hate crimes have been a persistent issue in the United States, with various incidents reported across the country over the years. The FBI tracks hate crimes through its Uniform Crime Reporting Program, which collects data from law enforcement agencies across the country. According to a FBI report, there were 7,759 hate crime incidents reported in 2020.
These crimes can have a significant impact on the victims and the targeted communities, causing emotional trauma and exacerbating social divisions. As such, there have been efforts to increase public awareness, improve reporting mechanisms, and enhance law enforcement’s response to hate crimes in the USA.
Laws for Hate Crime
There are various laws in the USA that are designed to prevent and punish hate crimes, like the Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which was signed into law in 2009. This law expands the definition of hate crimes to include crimes motivated by a victim’s race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. It also provides federal assistance to state and local law enforcement agencies in investigating and prosecuting hate crimes.
Despite these challenges, hate crime laws remain an important tool in addressing hate and intolerance in American society. They send a message that bias-motivated violence and harassment will not be tolerated, and they provide a measure of protection and justice for victims of hate crimes.
Visit to know more: https://www.fbi.gov/how-we-can-help-you/more-fbi-services-and-information/ucr/hate-crime
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