Detroit Today: New legislation attempts to prevent vandalism on religious spaces
The “Institutional Desecration Act” would create tougher penalties for vandalism of cultural institutions and places of worship.
Men pray during Friday prayers, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023, at the Islamic Center of East Lansing in East Lansing, Mich.
Legislation to enhance penalties for vandalism against places of worship, schools, and other cultural institutions received a hearing this week in the Michigan Senate.
The “Institutional Desecration Act,” which already passed the state House of Representatives, is part of a bill package aimed at reducing prejudice-related crime and help people feel safer in religious spaces — especially amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. The bill package’s co-sponsor, state Rep. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) joined Detroit Today on Tuesday to explain the potential consequences of the bill, and how it might affect different religious communities.
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Guest:
Ranjeev Puri is a Democratic State Representative and the House Majority Whip from Canton. He says the “Institutional Desecration Act” is intended to reduce hate crimes targeting cultural spaces and to help communities feel safer frequenting their places of worship.
“Every time there’s a hate crime, a person is left grieving, a community is left picking up the pieces. And people deal with that trauma and emotional distress for years,” said Puri.
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