New bill would require harsher punishments for hate crimes

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The number of hate crimes in Mecklenburg County is rising and local leaders are demanding action.

Channel 9 learned crimes involving race were up 6 percent and crimes involving religion were up 300% from 2016 to 2017.

Recently, someone sent racist letters to local black leaders.

"Everyone sees there is a rise in hate, vitriol, and damage to communities," Rev. Corine Mack with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People said.

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The NAACP and Democratic representative Nasif Majeed believe part of the answer is legislative, so they went public with a bill designed to increase the penalty for hate crimes.

House Bill 312 would turn the misdemeanor charge associated with hate crimes into a felony with a maximum five-year sentence. The change would apply to people who make racist, religious or sexual threats and follow through on them.

"A misdemeanor is a smack on the wrist," Majeed said. "This is not a Democratic or Republican issue, it's a human issue."

Local leaders are also worried about the Republican National Convention and the atmosphere it may bring.

"We are definitely concerned about how people are going to be treated," Mack said.

[Sheriff: Teen's racist videos show SC needs hate crime law]

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, hate crimes have risen in North Carolina by 12% and there are more than 40 active hate groups in the state.

Johnelle Causwell is with International House which has been giving immigrants a helping hand for years.

"They are afraid of this nasty dialogue, this hate speech that gets directed at them," Causwell said. "They are also afraid of physical violence that is now normalized."

Majeed told Channel 9 he initially had a lot of Republican support, but now he has none. He's hoping to change enough minds to get the bill approved.

Cox Media Group