Whereas the law places more severe penalties on the perpetrators of hate
crimes than on other criminals; and
Whereas the law defines hate crimes as offenses against individuals because
of bias against their religion, race, sexual preferences or other factors; and
Whereas persons who leave a religion, sect or cult (often called “apostates”)
sometimes suffer severe harassment, including slander, intimidation, property
destruction, violence, and even death;
Therefore, be it resolved that those responsible for enforcing hate-crime
laws be made aware that apostates from any religion, sect or cult are included
in protections under the full coverage of federal and state hate-crime
legislation, so that their persecutors will be faced with the enhanced penalties
that hate-crime statutes impose; and
Be it further resolved that training of law-enforcement personnel include the
safety needs of apostates; and
Be it finally resolved that this resolution be sent to King County Sheriff John
Urquhart, the King County Executive and members of the County Council;
the Seattle Mayor, Chief of Police and members of the Seattle City Council;
and the mayors of Auburn, Bothell, Bellevue, Carnation, Des Moines,
Enumclaw, Federal Way, Kent, Kirkland, Issaquah, Lake Forest Park, Mercer
Island, Normandy Park, Redmond, Renton, and Tukwila.
Adopted ______________ by ____________________
Submitted by John Coelho), gorfnight@gmail.com
Adopted by the 43rd District Democrats, May 20, 2014
Subsequently edited by KCDCC Resolutions Committee
