Fourth U.S. Attorney's United Against Hate Forum Held in South County

United States Attorney Zachary A. Cunha hosted the fourth in a well-attended series of United Against Hate community outreach and engagement forums on May 31st at Prout School in South Kingstown. 

The United Against Hate program is a Department of Justice initiative that connects the community with federal, state, and local law enforcement resources to increase community awareness and understanding of the importance of reporting of hate crimes; build trust between law enforcement and communities; and create and strengthen alliances between law enforcement and other government partners and community groups to combat unlawful acts of hate.

Through using hypothetical scenarios depicting real-life hate crime cases and stories, United Against Hate promotes robust interaction between community members and law enforcement participants. Program topics include: defining hate crimes; the importance of reporting unlawful acts of hate; providing options for responding to hate incidents when situations do not constitute a federal or state crime; distinguishing unlawful conduct from protected First Amendment activity, including protected speech.

In his opening remarks (link), United States Attorney Cunha discussed the fundamental and practical reasons for the United Against Hate outreach effort, and the collaboration of law enforcement and the community to better understand, identify and respond appropriately to hate crimes and/or hate incidents.

United States Attorney’s Office Civil Rights Coordinator Assistant United States Attorney Amy R. Romero led an interactive discussion on identifying and reporting hate crimes; the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents, and the need to report either immediately to local police; First Amendment protections; and familiarization of resources to help prevent hate crimes.

Ms. Romero’s presentation was followed by a discussion led by U.S. Attorney’s Office National Security Specialist Brian J. Pires into understanding and tracking hate and extremism; the rise in antisemitism and law enforcement’s approach to hate and extremism; and the role the Internet and social media plays in recruiting and targeting individuals, particularly young people.

The final segment of the program: a panel comprised of local law enforcement, religious, and community organizations, addressed perceived and actual examples of local incidents of hate, and law enforcements’ responses; the significant challenges and impact individuals and organizations face when they are targeted; the reluctance of victims of hate crimes or incidents to contact law enforcement; and the importance of continuing education, outreach, and strengthening of relationships between the community and law enforcement.