US President Joe Biden signs anti-hate crime legislation

United States President Joe Biden has signed an anti-hate crime legislation yesterday, directing federal law enforcement to address a rise in violent attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders during the coronavirus pandemic in the USA.

 

President Biden said that there are simple core values and beliefs that should bring all together as Americans. One of them is standing together against hate, against racism.

 

He was speaking at a White House ceremony attended by Democratic legislators and administration officials.

 

The new law seeks to speed up the Justice



Department’s review of anti-Asian hate crimes, and designates an official at the department to oversee the effort.

 

The measure had passed both chambers of Congress by large majority votes. 

 

The new law directs the US Department of Justice to focus on the prosecution of violent crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

 

In the past year, the US police have seen a surge in racially motivated crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders including a shooting in March in Georgia that killed six women of Asian descent.