Gay college students threatened, spit at: Police say NO TOLERANCE for hate crime violations

AMHERST - As Amherst College students apologized today for a homophobic incident at the college Saturday night, police said they are investigating the matter and won't tolerate violations of the state's hate crime laws.

Dozens of students gathered outside Valentine Dining Hall at the college yesterday carrying signs that said "We're Sorry Hampshire" and "I don't want to be 'tolerated.' They also asked passers-by to sign a banner that said "Please Come Back"

On Saturday night, five Hampshire College students who left a Gay Amherst Party were allegedly called names, threatened, spit at and were blocked from leaving the dorm.

Yesterday's rally was a way to show support for the Hampshire College students and demonstrate that the incident was not acceptable, said Craig C. Cullinane, coordinator of the college's support services for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender students and sexual identity issues. "It's kind of shocking," he said.

Both Amherst College and town police are investigating the matter. "We don't have any tolerance" for anything that would violate state hate crime laws, said Amherst Detective Lt. Ronald A. Young. He said police have a large number of witnesses to interview.

http://blog.masslive.com/breakingnews/2007/11/students_apologize_for_gay_slu.html

...but its good to see a community banding together to publcise they won't tolerate that kinda shit.

For rascism, sexism and homophobia, I fully advocate bringing back pillories and public stockades. 48 hours of being pelted with rotten fruit and being urinated on will teach these cretins what it feels like to be discriminated against.

If I bash a black man for sleeping with my wife, should I be charged with a hate crime? Or standard assault charges?

Is finding the guy with my wife sufficient motivation for me to commit the crime? Or does it have to argued that he's black as well?

Your motivation would describe whether it was a hate crime.

Regardless of the circumstance, hate crime legislation allows any altercation between "different" people to be portrayed as simply motivated by race, gender etc etc etc.

For example, is murder always the same or is first degree premeditated different than manslaughter?

The law take motivation into account all the time.

I agree with the concept, crimes based on hate should be treated as such, but I see the possibility for abuse.

:)

:wow:

that's been shown time and time again

it's still very sad

of intellectual rigor and progressivism. Heartbreaking.

I went to UMass, lived in Amherst, traveled to Hampshire College for classes and events, and spent tons of time in Northampton, one of the most gay-friendly cities on the planet.

The level of homophobia in all my years there was very low, and the level of gay-friendly programs/training (for both staff - I was an RA for two years - and students) was phenomenally high. Of course, that was in 1993-1999 (ish). Different country, now that our leaders publicly advocate hatred...

You are exactly right. The years of Jerry Falwell and his ilk, and the GOP, have come home to roost.

That's right. I'm sorry my nieces were born into this time and I'm happy my two sons are already men that can stand up for themselves and for their values.

If you'd asked me at 19 to look into the future, I would have been a really wrong prognosticator. :(

Years of "living" with her. At one point, I could have drawn a map of the community blindfolded. That was in the late 80s. Times haven't changed for the better anywhere, I guess. :(

.... I find it particularly depressing.... This is supposed to be when your mind is most open.

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my last comment is that good speech and or actions cannot nor will it ever be sufficient to over come all bad speech and or actions.

that's why there is a need for hate crimes laws.

the burner has been turned under the frying pan regarding gay folk -- so t speak -- and behavior as well as speech is getting ugly as we become more marginalized by ''leaders''.
these assailants merely act out the vitriol heard coming from all around them.

sad.