A push to finally enact a hate crimes law in Arkansas, a state with a history of white supremacists, appeared to have all the elements for success: a popular Republican governor who made it a priority, major corporations endorsing the idea and support from communities where hate groups have flourished. But the chance to end Arkansas' distinction as one of only three states without such a law is in jeopardy even before lawmakers return to the Capitol. Conservatives have moved to defeat the bill in the majority-GOP Legislature, though similar measures have passed in other red states. The bill's dimming prospects threaten a legislative priority for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who as a U.S. attorney prosecuted racist militia members but without a hate crimes law's specific penalties. If victims are targeted because of their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, "we have to express as a society that should not be tolerated and that we should have enhanced penalties for that," Hutchinson told The Associated Press this week. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?⁠ ⁠ ?: Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson / Arkansas.gov

A push to finally enact a hate crimes law in Arkansas, a state with a history of white supremacists, appeared to have all the elements for success: a popular Republican governor who made it a priority, major corporations endorsing the idea and support from communities where hate groups have flourished. But the chance to end Arkansas' distinction as one of only three states without such a law is in jeopardy even before lawmakers return to the Capitol. Conservatives have moved to defeat the bill in the majority-GOP Legislature, though similar measures have passed in other red states. The bill's dimming prospects threaten a legislative priority for Gov. Asa Hutchinson, who as a U.S. attorney prosecuted racist militia members but without a hate crimes law's specific penalties. If victims are targeted because of their race, ethnicity or sexual orientation, "we have to express as a society that should not be tolerated and that we should have enhanced penalties for that," Hutchinson told The Associated Press this week. Tap link in bio to continue on @EDGEmedianetwork ?️‍?⁠
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?: Arkansas Governor Asa Hutchinson / Arkansas.gov