NCJ Number
91947
Date Published
1983
Length
445 pages
Annotation
Issues addressed in 3 days of hearings on an apparent increase in violent incidents directed toward minority group citizens included possible relationships between such violence and rising unemployment and Federal law enforcement activities.
Abstract
The first witness, a psychologist with considerable expertise in race relations, discussed police killings of minorities. A sociologist then argued that national and regional economic situations, especially unemployment rates, were primary influences on rising rates of violence. The final witness for the first day, a civil rights activist, focused on terrorist acts against blacks and criticized the response of Federal agencies as inadequate. The second day addressed the Federal law enforcement issue, hearing from witnesses with expertise in Federal criminal civil rights law and constitutional law. Topics covered included responses of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights to racially motivated acts of violence, statutory basis for prosecution of such acts, 13th amendment basis for Federal jurisdiction, racially motivated incidents perpetrated by the Ku Klux Klan and various Nazi parties, and State and local monitoring programs. The final day of hearings continued the analysis of relevant Federal law and examined proposals to revise the Federal Criminal Code. Maryland's efforts to improve reporting procedures for racially motivated incidents and develop an educational program for schools were described, as were successful Justice Department prosecutions under 42 USC 3631 and Sections 241 and 245 of Title 18. Also explored were the need for improved information exchange among police agencies and the role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms in Federal efforts. Prepared statements are provided.