Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) announced today that he will sponsor legislation which would make certain offenses against emergency response personnel, firefighters and law enforcement fall under hate crimes statutes. Ra, a staunch proponent of law enforcement and the selfless job they do each day to protect Long Island, championed the measure as a way to further protect those who protect us day in and day out.

“Emergency service workers, firefighters and law enforcement personnel have an extremely demanding burden placed on them each day to protect our community and its members,” Ra said. “These selfless men and women are the ones running into burning buildings and crime scenes when everyone else is running out, and to attack them in order to make a political statement or because you are unhappy with their performance is infantile, abhorrent and undercuts the foundation of our society. I am proud to sponsor this measure and urge Assembly leaders for its passage in the house.”