Passed almost unanimously by King County Democrats (Seattle)

PROTECTING APOSTATES FROM HATE CRIMES

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