Page:The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Urges the U.S. Department of Justice and the Trump Administration to Increase Hate Crime Enforcement to Address White Nationalism.pdf/2

 live. Regrettably its presence in the United States is an infectious virus, and an active threat to liberty, equality and basic human dignity that must be stopped and cured by the sunlight of transparency and the balm of leadership from all sectors of American society – political, business, religious, and our communities.

Our hearts go out to the victims of Christchurch and the good people of New Zealand and to the victims of similar domestic violence and murder. And we also know we have a responsibility here, at home, to combat the forces that promote these violent attacks, because, as we have seen time and again, this kind of hate knows no boundaries and no restrictions of geography.

To not act forcefully and forthrightly at moments such as this is a missed opportunity to say to white nationalist extremist groups and individuals that their actions are intolerable in America. The United States Department of Justice has the tools and authority to respond effectively to hate and to lead the country in safeguarding our core civil rights commitments of equality for all. This Commission urges DOJ and the Trump Administration to use every tool available to lead our nation against hate.

''The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, established by the Civil Rights Act of 1957, is the only independent, bipartisan agency charged with advising the President and Congress on civil rights and reporting annually on federal civil rights enforcement. Our 51 state Advisory Committees offer a broad perspective on civil rights concerns at state and local levels. The Commission: in our 7th decade, a continuing legacy of influence in civil rights. For information about the Commission, please visit www.usccr.gov and follow us on Twitter and Facebook.''