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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/23/2024 03:22 PM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20190&cosponId=27566
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House of Representatives
Session of 2019 - 2020 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: January 9, 2019 01:54 PM
From: Representative Brian Kirkland
To: All House members
Subject: Breaking the Silence - Being an Active Bystander for Hate Crimes
 
In 2017, reported hate crimes increased by 17% in the United States and by more than 27% in Pennsylvania. Even as hate crimes occur more frequently, observers still fail to intervene during situations of prejudice and injustice.

As state representatives, we should urge our constituents to become active bystanders when witnessing a hate crime take place. Defending marginalized groups is a responsibility that we all should share, not just law enforcement. Bystander intervention helps prevent the normalization of prejudicial behavior. There are several ways an active bystander can safely intervene in a prejudicial situation such as by removing a victim from the scene, distracting the instigator, or by seeking help from someone in a position of power.

Let us join together with our constituents in making it known that Pennsylvania does not tolerate hate and prejudice. Please support advancing the safety of marginalized groups across the state.

Introduced as HR117