Bill Overview
Title: Emmett Till Antilynching Act
Description: This bill makes lynching a federal hate crime offense. Specifically, the bill imposes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both—on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
Sponsors: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Target Audience
Population: People potentially targeted by hate crimes involving lynching
Estimated Size: 52000000
- Lynching historically targeted Black Americans, making the bill most relevant to racial minorities who might fear racially motivated violence.
- The bill officially recognizes lynching as a federal hate crime, thus impacting legal accountability for crimes related to hate-based violence.
- Individuals who are victims of hate crimes involving elements specified in the bill (e.g., kidnapping, murder attempts) will be impacted due to enhanced legal protection.
- Communities and activists advocating for civil rights would be directly impacted as the bill represents a legislative victory.
Reasoning
- The Emmett Till Antilynching Act is most relevant to individuals and communities historically or currently affected by hate-based violence, particularly racial minorities. Given this, our interviews will focus on people within these communities as they may have the greatest change in their perception of safety and justice with the bill's implementation.
- The budget constraint of $15 million USD in year 1 may limit the impact scope but is sufficient to fund initial prosecutions and awareness campaigns.
- Not everyone within the African American, Jewish, or LGBTQ+ communities will feel the immediate impact, but awareness of increased protection could slightly alter the general sense of wellbeing.
- Commonness scores are assigned based on the frequency of people with similar demographics and experiences within the general population.
Simulated Interviews
Teacher (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 32 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I feel more at ease knowing there's an official stance against lynching, which has terrorized my community historically.
- This reinforces that our lives are valued and justice will be pursued.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Non-profit Director (Chicago, IL)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act is a crucial step in acknowledging and criminalizing racially motivated violence.
- I hope this sets a precedent for broader hate crime legislation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Artist (Oakland, CA)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's reassuring to see federal acknowledgment of lynching as a hate crime.
- This policy is a needed barrier against the fear LGBTQ+ communities often face.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired (Birmingham, AL)
Age: 63 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is overdue and a significant step towards justice for the past and future.
- Personally, it doesn’t change day-to-day life but provides comfort.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 6 |
Attorney (Miami, FL)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- In my work, this will serve as a more explicit deterrent and empowerment tool for cases we handle.
- Good to see legal recognition of lynching's seriousness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
College Student (New York, NY)
Age: 22 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It’s heartening to see federal acknowledgment, but still wary about enforcement implications.
- Policy alone isn't enough; real change needs systemic shifts.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Software Developer (Seattle, WA)
Age: 36 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This aligns with the discrimination issues many of us continue to face.
- My worry is about how effectively it will be enforced.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Police Officer (Houston, TX)
Age: 54 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Reinforces my duty to protect against hate crimes effectively.
- Communities might feel more secure reporting hate crimes now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Historian (Little Rock, AR)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This is a vital recognition of the historical trauma my people have endured.
- It's symbolic, and meaningful to those familiar with the subject.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Social Worker (Jackson, MS)
Age: 38 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could make my clients feel a bit safer stepping forward.
- There might be more trust in legal systems handling hate crimes.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 2: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 3: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 5: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 10: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Year 100: $15000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $30000000)
Key Considerations
- The bill addresses historical injustices and adds a layer of protection against hate crimes targeting African Americans and other minorities.
- As a legal deterrent, it could reduce the frequency of heinous crimes.
- Requires collaboration between local and federal law enforcement agencies, requiring ongoing training.
- Potential administrative costs might rise if cases under this law increase.