Does the Hate Crimes law cover Abortion Doctors?

[LeftyAndProud60]

I was just curious.

[nemo137]

1. No. Occupations are not protected classes.

Now, there is a federal law that protects access to clinics, and in my view violence against abortion providers is most certainly terrorism, but it's not a violation of hate crimes laws.

[LeftyAndProud60]

2. That's odd. It's obviouly a hate crime though. NT

[nemo137]

3. No, it's terrorism.

Legally, in the US, hate crimes laws cover race, religion, nationality, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and disability. There are further restrictions on when a crime becomes a hate crime. Things like the bombing of clinics or the assassination of doctors is certainly motivated by hate, but it's more akin to terrorism, as its violence with political content.

As I type that, I realize that they're not mutually exclusive. But as far as hate crime laws go, protected classes do not include occupations, even though radical right-wing anti-choice violence is motivated by pure, unadulterated misogyny.

[xxqqqzme]

4. Good question but I think not.

With the reaction Rachel Maddow is getting pre-presentation of the Tiller assassination program, I hope she has good security. These people are unhinge. I fear for her.

[MurrayDelph]

5. Then how about going after them on

RICO charges?