Are Attacks Against The Homeless An Act of Hate?
There is an article that has been posted on TIME.com that addresses the issue of violence committed against the homeless. On October 9 55-year-old John Robert McGraham was murdered in Los Angeles, California. It was a very horrid and shocking death. This was a type of death that would rip every shred of dignity from a human being.
The assailants poured gasoline on McGraham and torched him. He burned to death at the scene. McGraham died a very inhumane death on the sidewalk of a boarded up office. There were residents and others that came to McGraham’s aid. However, they were too late.
So far, the perpetrators have yet to be caught. If and when caught, they will be charged with first-degree murder.
McGraham’s family and hundreds of other people honored his memory at the Immanuel Presbyterian Church. His sister, Susanne McGraham-Paisley said that people who commit such acts are the worst kind of people.
McGraham-Paisley said: “I hope they give them the full scope of the law because that person went to a gas station, filled up the gas can, drove to the site, poured gasoline on him and then set him on fire. That person had so many opportunities to change [his] mind and … didn’t.”
So far, it is revealed that California ranks second in highest number of attacks against the homeless. Florida ranks the first in such attacks. However, the ranking is not concrete. This is due to the high number of deaths that have not been reported.
According to Maria Foscarinis, the director of the National Law on Homelessness & Poverty, the deaths and attacks not reported are usually never reported.
According to Tony Taylor of the National Coalition for the Homeless, people living on the streets are the most vulnerable. He adds that they are extremely vulnerable to the most vicious attacks.
So far, attacks against the homeless are not considered to be a hate crime. However, there are bills that have been introduced to include attacks against the homeless as a category for a crime of hate.
Foscarinis says that while the proposed bills should deter against attacking the homeless, she adds that other solutions need to be found.
“At the same time we are lobbying for real solutions, which are housing and social services for homeless people, we have to make sure their lives and dignity are respected,” she explains. She adds: “The point of hate-crime legislation to act as a deterrent. It becomes a more serious crime when it’s considered a hate crime, and there is a harsher sentence that’s imposed. We want to send a message that homeless people’s lives are just as valuable as anyone else’s life.”
So far, McGraham’s death has affected many people. In short, many people are getting riled up. While the bills to include crimes against the homeless as hate crimes, it is unknown if and/or when they will be signed into law.
Overall, while McGraham was homeless, he is a man that will be missed. There are many people wanting McGraham’s death to be avenged.
Tags: Homeless , Mcgraham , Los Angeles , Hate Crimes
