Emmett Till Antilynching Act
Mar 29, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1125
Became law: Mar 29, 2022
Mar 29, 2022
Statute: 136 Stat. 1125
Became law: Mar 29, 2022
Summary
Makes it a federal hate crime to conspire to hurt someone based on their race or other traits, especially if it leads to death or serious injury.
What problem does this solve?
For over a century, there was no specific federal law against lynching, making it very hard to prosecute people who committed these violent, racist acts. This law creates a federal charge for lynching, allowing the government to prosecute it as a hate crime and punish those responsible.
What does this law do?
Makes lynching a federal hate crime
Creates a new federal crime for conspiring to commit a hate crime that results in death or serious bodily injury. Those found guilty can be imprisoned for up to 30 years.
Punishes other related hate crime conspiracies
Sets a prison sentence of up to 30 years for anyone who conspires to commit a hate crime that includes kidnapping, sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
Who does this affect?
- Victims of racially motivated violence
- Perpetrators of hate crimes
- Federal prosecutors and law enforcement
What is the real world impact?
•
Addresses a historical injustice
Creates a specific federal law to prosecute lynching, a form of racial terror that has often gone unpunished throughout American history. This provides a tool for justice that was missing for a long time.
•
Highlights a long legislative struggle
The passage of this act, after hundreds of failed attempts over more than 100 years, shows how long and difficult the political fight has been to get federal laws protecting people from racial violence.
When does this start?
This law went into effect when it was signed on March 29, 2022.