PITTSBURGH (Newsradio 1020 KDKA) - A group of state lawmakers stood in front of Tree of Life Synagogue, where 11 people were gunned down last October, Thursday to unveil a package of bill designed to combat hate crimes.
The Bills would require things like better training for police in dealing with hate, a hate group database in Pennsylvania and would give the state attorney general jurisdiction to investigate.
Tree of Life Rabbi Jeffery Myers says it’s a shame legislation is needed to fight hate speech.
“So to those who would espouse that sort of language, my words to you are, ‘you’re the one who’s not being American’,” said Myers.
The prime sponsors are State Representatives Dan Frankel and Ed Gainey and State Senator Jay Costa.
“The Tree of Life tragedy last fall shone a light on the shortcomings in Pennsylvania law relating to hate crimes and ethnic intimidation. Unfortunately, it was not the first and may not be the last crime committed in the Commonwealth fueled by hate,” said Costa. “After reviewing current laws and talking to various state and local agencies, we have identified many deficiencies in our state statutes and have plans to address them.”