Senate Resolution No. 481

BY: Senator FLANAGAN

CONDEMNING violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric
towards people of faith and celebrating our Nation's
history of tolerance and freedom of religion and
religious expression in the State of New York

WHEREAS, The victims of hate crimes and hate speech have faced
physical, verbal, and emotional abuse because of their religion or
perceived religion; and

WHEREAS, The constitutional right to freedom of religious practice
is a cherished American value and violence or hate speech towards any
community based on their faith is in contravention of our founding
principles; and

WHEREAS, New York State is a community made up of many diverse
religions and faiths, and both immigrants and native-born New Yorkers;
and

WHEREAS, New York State's diverse religious communities are
recognized as having made innumerable contributions to the cultural and
economic fabric and well-being of our society; and

WHEREAS, Hateful and intolerant acts against members of any religion
are contrary to the American values of acceptance, welcoming, and
fellowship with those of all religions, faiths, and cultures; and

WHEREAS, These acts affect not only the individual victims but also
their families, communities, and the entire group whose religion or
faith were the motivation for the act; and

WHEREAS, People of faith who wear faith-based clothing have been
targeted because of their religious clothing; and

WHEREAS, The rise of hate speech, violence, and cultural intolerance
can encourage certain individuals to react in extreme and violent ways
towards religious communities; and

WHEREAS, Religious extremism that promotes violence or bigotry in
the name of faith is not the property of any specific religion and must
be opposed in all its forms whenever undertaken by any member of any
religion; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
condemn violence, bigotry, and hateful rhetoric towards members of any
religious community, and to celebrate our Nation's history of tolerance
towards all religions and faiths in the State of New York; and be it
further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause further to express its
condolences for the victims of all hate crimes; to steadfastly confirm
its dedication to the rights and dignity of all its citizens of all
religions, faiths, and cultures; to denounce in the strongest terms the
increase of intimidation, violence, vandalism, arson, and other hate

crimes targeted against members of any religion or those perceived to be
members of any religion, towards institutions of worship, and religious
community centers; and to recognize that the religious communities in
New York State have made countless positive contributions to our
society; and be it further

RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body declares that the civil rights
and civil liberties of people of all religions and faiths should be
protected and preserved; supports law enforcement authorities to work to
prevent hate crimes and to prosecute to the fullest extent of the law
those perpetrators of hate crimes; and reaffirms the inalienable right
of every individual to live without fear and intimidation, and to
practice their freedom of religion.