"We have said on many occasions, too many occasions in fact, that hate and crimes motivated by hate are real. Some in the legislature wish to push the dialogue into the hypothetical, but those of us who listen to our neighbors understand that this is an unfortunate reality in our state."

 -Terry Curry, Marion County prosecutor

On Thursday February 21st, the Indiana Senate was unable to pass a definitive hate crimes bill for yet another year. Indiana remains one of five states in the United State without such a bill protecting the basic human right of safety, which has been the purpose of government since the beginning of its construct. Senate Bill 12 being stripped of its wording outlining specific protections such as religion, race, and gender identity shakes the very foundation of not only America, but makes Indiana's history far less than extraordinary. In the wake of such a bill on the floor, a member of our Indianapolis community, Mustafa Ayoubi, lost his life February 16th because of prejudice, bias, and irrationality of his shooter. Mustafa Ayoubi’s homicide was labeled as “road rage” regardless of the blatant religious targeting of his murderer who followed him to his friend’s home. Nonetheless, state government turned a blind eye to the realities of hate within our state borders just days after Ayoubi’s death, and it is our duty as citizens to wake up those we so proudly elected. The hate crimes bill being stripped of its definitive wording renders our current Indiana government incapable of progression that is so vital that 45 other states have already recognized it.

The history of Indiana needs a turn for the better, and this starts with a push from members of all communities, all sexualities, all religions, races, ethnicities, and people of all walks to come together and defend the protection of one another as well as the safety of those we love. Indiana can no longer stand to be a bystander amongst manifest hate crimes. Please sign this petition to show solidarity to the below causes: 

• We ask for Indiana state government representatives to fight for a clear-cut hate crime law that increases penalties for crimes motivated by bias, including definitive protections when it comes to religion, race, ethnicity, gender identity, color, socioeconomic status, etc. 
• For Mustafa Ayoubi’s case to be taken up by the federal government where The Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act would require analysis of bias intent and increase penalties for a crime that is committed on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or gender of any person.