Biden Signs Hate Crimes Measure Into Law
Voice of America
WASHINGTON - Hailing it as a rare contemporary example of bipartisan cooperation in Washington, President Joe Biden on Thursday signed legislation intended to fight anti-Asian hate crimes, which have escalated in the United States during the coronavirus pandemic.
Hate and racism are "the ugly poison that has long haunted and plagued our nation," the president said before signing the bill in the White House East Room. The law establishes a new Justice Department position to expedite the review of COVID-19-related hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement agencies to respond to such violence. It also is intended to improve hate crime data collection and establish telephone hotlines and online reporting of such acts. "This new law will help speed our response to hate crimes and provide resources to law enforcement to improve hate crime reporting," U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement. "The law will assist law enforcement in targeting its efforts, which will help to prevent these devastating crimes and to respond efficiently and effectively to crimes, when they occur."This handout picture released by the Canoas City Hall shows people helping to rescue flood victims in Canoas, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil on May 4, 2024. Beira Rio stadium is flooded after heavy rain in Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul state, Brazil, May 7, 2024. A man rows a makeshift boat through an inundated street flooded by heavy rains, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, May 7, 2024. Evacuees ride in a loader after their homes were flooded at Eldorado do Sul, in Rio Grande do Sul Brazil May 7, 2024.