New York City Comptroller William C. Thompson, Jr. today issued the following statement concerning President Obama’s signature of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act:

“I applaud President Obama for signing the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, expanding federal protections to victims of attacks based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

With new tools at their disposal, law enforcement officials will be able to better combat the type of violence that instills fear among those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender.

There is no room in our communities for this type of violence, and this law will help to protect Americans from the threat of physical attack based on sexual orientation and gender identity.”

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