Maryland Lawmakers Consider Adding Nooses to Hate Crime Law
posted 5:31 pm Wed January 16, 2008 - Annapolis, Md.
The anti-noose bills debated by a House committee Wednesday would expand harassment and property damage laws to make it a felony to hang a noose as a symbol of racial hatred to intimidate.
Noose hangings have popped up around Maryland in the last year, but they're not against the law.
Lawmakers from both parties grilled the noose bill sponsors Wednesday about whether their plan is constitutional. No other state makes noose displays a hate crime; New York lawmakers have considered but not approved one.
Bill sponsors offered to change their plan to ban hateful displays of weapons, not just nooses, to satisfy free-speech concerns. But that only brought up more questions from lawmakers.
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Latest Comment on Maryland Lawmakers Consider Adding Nooses to Hate Crime Law
holtonfb
11:22 am on 01/18/08
as for gang graffitti ..it's already against the law .. it's called malicous destruction of property.. and it can be a felony if it's over a certain amount of damage and/or illegal entry (burglary) is involved .. and penalty can include compensation for repealce and/repair at present replacement value ie: you smash a five year old 32 inch TV .. you buy the victim a brand new 32 inch TV (no depreciation allowed) ..
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