Texas Democrat Sheila Jackson Lee recently proposed a bill to criminalize certain forms of “hate speech” and prosecute individuals who engage in “white supremacy inspired hate crime and conspiracy to commit white supremacy inspired hate crime.”
According to the New York Post, the Leading Against White Supremacy Act of 2023 would target social media who use so-called hate speech online, even if they don’t act on their words. Jackson Lee claims the legislation is necessary due to a perceived increase in hate crimes.
The bill states, “Mass shootings and other hate crimes motivated by white supremacy have been increasing in frequency and intensity.” It continues, “These heinous and virulent crimes are inspired by conspiracy theories, blatant bigotry and mythical falsehoods such as ‘replacement theory.’ All instances must be prevented and severe criminal penalties must be applied to their perpetrators.”
The bill was likely inspired by last year’s mass shooting in a Buffalo grocery store where a 19-year-old gunned down ten people he reportedly targeted because of their race. However, it is unlikely that the legislation will pass in the Republican-controlled chamber.
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