ADL Recalls Matthew Shepard; Calls for Action

Date: October 13, 2009

ADL last night participated in a panel at the Cutler Majestic Emerson Theatre in Boston to recall the seminal Hate Crime that claimed Matthew Shepard's life in Wyoming 10 years ago this week.

Speaking to a sold out auditorium of 1100 people, ADL Regional Director, Derrek Shulman, called on audience members to lobby MA Senators Kirk and Kerry in favor of the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act which will provide new tools to expand partnerships between federal and state authorities to address hate violence, and new authority for federal prosecutors to investigate and bring hate crime cases when state and local officials cannot or will not do so. This bill has passed the U.S. House of Representative and is now in the Senate.

The bill is expected to reach President Obama’s desk for signature shortly. The panel discussion occurred seconds after the Boston rendition of "The Laramie Project: 10 Years After," an epilogue that considers the ongoing impact of Shepard's death. The play was simulcast in scores of other cities around the world.

In the News:
boston.com