Legislation a nationwide first

Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed into law May 27 the “Blue Lives Matter” bill, which expanded the hate crimes statutes to include police officers, firefighters and first responders.

Louisiana is the first state to add public safety workers as a protected class. The reaction to this legislation has been mixed – on the state and national level.

Before the amendment, the Louisiana hate crimes statutes included offenses against any person because of race, age, gender, color, creed, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry. Persons convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime can be sentenced up to six months and/ or fined $500. If convicted of a felony hate crime, a defendant can be sentenced to an additional five years and fines up to $5,000. Now the hate crimes laws protect a class of public employees without regard to the classification of the individuals as originally identified in the hate crimes legislation.

Law enforcement officials wholeheartedly praise this legislation, saying it is needed because of national debate over policing and race that has led to more violence against law enforcement officials. Civil rights groups have attacked the expansion of the hate crimes statute, saying it is not needed because 37 states including Louisiana already have enhanced penalties for assaulting police officers. The amendment drew scarce attention when it was passed 92 to 0 in the Louisiana House and 33 to 3 in the Senate.

The executive director of the National Association of Police Organizations praised the bill, saying police officers are under attack nationwide. Similarly, the Louisiana State Police Chief as well as the Louisiana Sheriff’s Association president commended the legislation, pointing out these public servants work to protect communities.

Critics point out that violence against police officers is near an all-time low, citing data from the F.B.I. and private groups. They note that in recent years, homicides of police officers are less than half of what they were in the 1970s, despite the fact that the number of officers today is substantially larger.

The New York Times reported on May 26 that Ernest L. Johnson Sr., president of the Louisiana branch of the N.A.A.C.P., believes that this bill is contrary to the purpose of hate crimes laws that have traditionally been based upon a history of discrimination against certain groups of people. According to Johnson the amendment waters down the purpose of hate crimes because there is no established history of discrimination against police and firefighters. The Times also reported that Allison Padila-Goodman, an Anti-Defamation League official, opined that adding a professional category to hate crimes is inconsistent with the hate crimes goal of protection against identity-based bias.

Many observers believe the “Blue Lives Matter” campaign was a response by law enforcement to the “Black Lives Matters” movement. Nationally, the tension between policing and race – with the Michael Brown incident in Ferguson, Mo., at the centerpoint – has led to street demonstrations and social media commentary that started the “Black Lives Matter” movement.

Edwards, who comes from four generations of sheriffs in Tangipahoa Parish, wholeheartedly endorsed this legislation.

– John E. Settle, Jr.