Beating Of Army Reserve Officer Demonstrates Need For Georgia Hate Crimes Law

[RamboLiberal]

Atlanta, Ga, September 16, 2009 …The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) today called the shocking beating of Army reservist Tashawnea Hill at a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Morrow, Georgia, a vivid example of why Georgia needs a hate crimes law.

According to Morrow police, Hill was kicked and beaten by a perpetrator who screamed racial slurs at her as he hit her with his fists and feet. The attacker was apparently provoked when Hill asked him to be careful that the door to the restaurant did not hit her 7-year-old daughter as they stood at the entrance to the Cracker Barrel.

Troy Dale West was arrested for battery, disorderly conduct and cruelty to children in the first degree.

"Police reports make it clear that this incident escalated to an assault because Tashawnea Hill is African American" said Bill Nigut, ADL Southeast Regional Director. "Because of the vicious nature of this assault, the perpetrator should be subject to enhanced penalties in this case; and yet Georgia remains one of only five states in the nation that does not have a hate crimes law on its books.

http://www.adl.org/PresRele/HatCr_51/5607_51.htm