Raja Announces Plans For An Independent Bipartisan Commission To Investigate Increase In Hate Crimes In Wake Of Events In Charlottesville

SCHAUMBURG, IL – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to the events in Charlottesville, Virginia and the national increase in hate crimes over the last year:

"In the wake of the failure of President Trump and Attorney General Jeff Sessions to forcefully respond to the rise in hate crimes we've witnessed across the country, I'm drafting legislation to establish a bipartisan commission to investigate the national surge in hate crimes and how it can best be combatted. The events in Charlottesville and the hate-motivated crimes we've witnessed across the country demand a response, and this commission will report to Congress on the scale of the problem, the causes for the increase in hate crimes, and how we may best combat it.

Americans need to know that their civil rights will be protected and that hate crimes will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. After the events in Charlottesville, the American people are right to question whether our highest officials will fulfill those obligations. It is now more important than ever to affirm that we are a nation of laws and that those laws will be upheld and enforced."