Download Hate Crime & Bias Incident Report
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On Monday 11/26/07 We Are Missoula. Speak Up. Stand Out Held a "Community Rally to End Hate Crimes".
The event was a success. The Badlander was filled to the brim. We ran out of pizza in two seconds. We ran out of ink to screen print. We ran out of time for attendees to speak with the documentarians. We ran out of signs.
That's right. We had food, we had T-shirts (Gay & Griz in gray and a Keith Haring triangle in red, speakers, free food, free "We Are Missoula" car dash signs, organizations tabling, theater, film making, politicians, police, students, slackers, gays, straights, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender folks. There was eating and drinking and dancing and singing.
Perhaps more importantly we sent a strong message to Missoula that hate crimes are not acceptable and a strong message to the queer community that we can unite and speak up and stand against hate crimes. You can read media coverage:
- Missoulian: ‘Speak up ... stand out' - Hundreds gather downtown to support Missoula's gay and lesbian community
- Missoulian: Nighttime rally speaks out against anti-gay violence in Missoula
- New West: Missoula Turns Out for Rally Against Hate Crimes
- UMT Kaimin: Gay community rallies against crimes
- Q Salt Lake: Mont. Gay Man, Lesbian Assaulted, City Rallies for Hate Crimes Protections
By WMGLCC 11/13
See the following coverage in the Missoulian: "Assault victim says attack was anti-gay", UMT Kaimin: "LAMBD calls for unity after two attacks", and KPAX: "Missoula assault victim believes crime was motivated by her sexual orientation".
The "victims" of these hate crimes should be celebrated for their honesty and bravery. Moving beyond the culture of victimization is only accomplished two ways: making choices and fighting back.
However, while the number of hate crimes is increasing the number of hate crimes reported in Montana is decreasing, with 65 incidents reported in 2005 and only 24 last year in 2006, according to the FBI.
"Don't agonize. Organize." - Florynce R. Kennedy
Unfortunately not every person realizes their power and hate crimes go woefully under-reported. For more information see Uniform Crime Reporting Program 2005 Hate Crime Statistics.
See also Missoula Independent: "Defining Hate", Montana Human Rights Network: "Anti-Gay Assaults Plague Montana Communities", Common Dreams: "Cowards In Our Midst – Recent Missoula Hate Crimes Are Terrorism". Local blog: http://melissamsw.blogspot.com/2007/11/so-proud-i-could-burst.html. Hate Crimes Rose 8 Percent in 2006.
Read this pdf checklist for hate crime victims. To summarize:
#1 Make sure you are safe!
#2 Get help and help others
#3 Record details such as time and description of attacker
#4 Report it!
To report email Officer Pifari: npifari@ci.missoula.mt.us. Her voicemail ONLY # is 552-2298 and the general switchboard is 552-6300. As always, if you need immediate assistance or are in any danger call 911.
If you have other questions you may consult the Hate Crime Information Booklet. Though some of its information is specific to Canadian it will answer many questions including:
*What to do if you are the victim of a hate crime?
*Did I experience a hate crime or regular violence?
Resources which may help you answer these questions also include: Southern Poverty Law Center and The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (East Coast) .
Hate crime victims require your support.
Here is a pdf checklist for organizations who support of hate crime victims, though many of the steps apply to individuals who support victims. To summarize:
#1 Offer appropriate assistance (with reporting the hate crime, preserving evidence, seeking medical or psychological help or monetary assistance)
#2 Report the crime (be sensitive to the victim and report anonymously if they wish)
#3 Speak out
#4 Mobilize
See also: The National Crime Prevention Council: Strategy: Support for Hate Crime Victims.
wmglcc
©2007 Western Montana Gay & Lesbian Community Center