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Indiana Forward pushes for hate crime law

Posted at 3:21 PM, Jan 08, 2019
and last updated 2019-01-08 15:21:59-05

INDIANAPOLIS — Indiana now has the biggest push the state has ever seen for a statewide hate crime law. A new coalition of business and community leaders announced a campaign for it Tuesday morning at the Indiana Statehouse.

More than 700 groups and individuals are part of Indiana Forward.

Indiana Forward says it’s time for the state to join the group of 44 other states with protections on the books.

"With bias motivated crimes on the rise in our country and in our state, we must send a loud and clear message that Indiana rejects acts of hate toward any person or group of people for any reason,” said Ann Murtlow of the United Way of Central Indiana

So far, three hate crime bills have been introduced in the Indiana House of Representatives.

Shortly after Indiana Forward’s event, the American Family Association of Indiana released a statement, asking people to oppose any hate crime legislation.

“Governor Eric Holcomb, the liberal media, and liberal business activists, are again shaming legislators for allegedly not having a hate crime law,” the release states.