Folks, lynching is a hateful and horrendous part of our nation’s history. And to this day, it is still not considered a federal crime.

That’s why I proudly voted to pass the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which would finally designate lynching as a hate crime under federal law.

Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who was brutally beaten and murdered in 1955 for allegedly whistling at a white woman. Sadly enough, he is only one of thousands who have lost their lives at the hands of racist violence.

This bill is long overdue, and more important than ever before. President Trump is fanning the flames of racism with his discriminatory policies and hateful speech. From mass shootings to white supremacist rallies, it’s clear we have a long way to go to end systemic racism and hate in America.

I’m a proud co-sponsor of the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, which is surely a step in the right direction. This bill acknowledges that lynching is, no doubt, an act of terror. And equally important, it pays tribute to the innocent victims of these heinous acts.

Please, if you agree that lynching should be considered a hate crime, sign my petition now to demand President Trump sign the Emmett Till Antilynching Act into law.

In solidarity,

Barbara Lee