The U.S. Commission on Civil Rights is holding a briefing on hate crimes and hate incidents on May 11 from 9:00-6:30. The Commission will examine the federal government’s role in collecting data on hate crimes and preventing and punishing hate crimes. The Commission will hear from law enforcement, advocacy organizations, and journalists. The hearing will include discussion of hate crimes that violate state or federal law and bias incidents that are not violations of the criminal law. The Commission is also interested in bias-motivated harassment and bullying that occurs at schools.

The Commission will hold an oral comment period during which members of the public can speak. Further information about the public comment period and livestreaming is available at http://www.usccr.gov/press/2018/05-11-PR-Sunshine-Act-Notice.pdf. Individuals who are unable to attend in person or wish to submit lengthier comments are invited to submit written comments to [email protected].

Carissa Mulder is a graduate of Notre Dame Law School and special assistant to Commissioner Peter Kirsanow of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. She resides in Virginia. This post does not represent the views of the Commission.