House OKs harsher punishment for hanging nooses, burning crosses
Thursday,
July
17
(updated
4:50 pm)
RALEIGH (AP) — The N.C. House has voted to boost the criminal penalty for burning a cross or hanging a noose in a display aimed at intimidation.
Supporters of the bill that passed 113-1 on Thursday said those who burn crosses and hang nooses should receive a harsher punishment because of the historical significance of the symbols.
The legislation would raise the grade of felony for displaying such a symbol.
The Senate approved an earlier draft of the plan that required the perpetrator to be of a different race, religion or ethnic group than the victim. But House version that does not include that provision, and the bill it approved Thursday now heads back to the Senate for a vote.
