According to the New York Times, nationwide, violence against the homeless is soaring, and overwhelmingly the attackers are teenagers and young adults. Here is the article.

What can we do?

1. Write your Congressional Representative to support HR 2217 IH, " Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Enforcement Act," and HR 2216IH, " Hate Crimes Against the Homeless Statistics Act of 2007," both of which remains mired in the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.  This bill is STUCK in committee -- please urge passage!!

2. Seek out and support similar legislation on the state level. For example, Alaska, California, Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, Ohio, and Texas are considering anti-hate legislation -- and the lrgislators need your support.

3. Perhaps your church could hold a vigil asking the community for understanding in regards its relationship with the homeless, who are God's children, too.