A Senate Resolution Condemning Hate Crimes Against Muslims

Since the beginning of the war in Iraq, hate crimes against these communities have surged again, with many of these crimes taking place in the Chicago area. Since the end of February, the FBI has investigated at least six reports of possible hate crimes in the region, including violent assaults, death threats and vandalism at a mosque.

Durbin said the resolution recognizes that members of these communities greatly contribute to American society and serve honorably in the military and law enforcement, urges respect for civil rights and civil liberties, condemns bias-motivated crimes against members of these communities and calls upon federal and local law enforcement to prosecute such crimes vigorously.