These past few weeks have served as a disturbing reminder that hate crimes and domestic terrorism are on the rise in our country. Mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio claimed the lives of 31 people just days after Gilroy, California found itself grieving members of their community who were taken too soon.
But unfortunately, these massacres are not our only reason to mourn. Today marks two years since a violent white supremacist rally shook Charlottesville, Virginia.
On this two-year anniversary of Charlottesville, I promise you this: As President, I will end the hateful rhetoric that has become all too routine during the Trump administration and make combating domestic terrorism and hate-motivated violence a priority.
Learn more about how I’ll take a stand against violence here >>>
- I’ll prioritize combating domestic terrorism and empower law enforcement to investigate and prosecute perpetrators of hate-motivated violence, including against minorities, people of color, immigrants and the LGBTQ community.
- I will direct the Department of Homeland Security to resume its work tracking right-wing extremism, including white nationalism.
- And I will require federal law enforcement agencies to regularly assess the threat of domestic terrorism and increase training and resources for state and local law enforcement to address it.
I want to be clear: Neo-Nazis and white nationalists spouting racism and inciting violence are inimical to everything we stand for.
I promise to strengthen enforcement against those who commit acts of hate — including white nationalist hate crimes — and work with law enforcement and communities around the country to increase protections and not only combat these threats, but address the root causes of domestic terrorism.
Gun violence in America has cut short far too many lives, torn families apart and plagued communities across the country. I have led legislation in the Senate that would prevent convicted stalkers from purchasing firearms and close the “boyfriend loophole” — right now federal law says if you’re convicted of abusing your wife you can’t get a gun, but if it’s your girlfriend you can. That’s just wrong. In my first 100 days, I will take executive action to close this loophole immediately and introduce gun violence legislation including putting universal background checks in place, and banning bump stocks, assault weapons and high capacity magazines.
Today we mourn those we’ve lost. Now we must work to make our country a safer place for everyone.
— Amy
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