Lecture Notes: Religion and Hate Crimes

Religious Motivation in Hate Crimes

• Religion as a catalyst for hate crimes in the US and Canada.
  • Most religiously motivated hate crimes target Jewish people.
  • In Canada, Jewish individuals are the most frequent victims of hate crimes.
• Statistics in the United States:
  • 2009: 70.1% of religiously motivated hate crimes were anti-Semitic.
  • 1996: 86% were anti-Semitic, indicating a slight decrease.

Global Anti-Semitism

• The early 21st century saw increased anti-Semitic incidents, especially in Europe.
  • Countries with significant increases: France, Germany, UK, Belgium, Netherlands.
  • Governments providing enhanced protections for Jewish communities.

Example: April 5, 2004 Incident

• Attack on a Jewish elementary school in Montreal with a kerosene bomb.
  • $500,000 in damage and destruction of 10,000 books.
  • Note left at scene: retaliation for an assassination by Israel.

Understanding "Riposte"

• Definition: An offensive action in fencing, a counterattack after a parried attack.
• Used metaphorically to describe retaliatory actions in hate crimes.

Anti-Jewish Activity in Montreal

• Multiple incidents including firebombing of Jewish institutions.
  • 2006: Jewish boys' school.
  • 2007: Jewish Community Center.
• Reports of Montreal being a hotspot for anti-Jewish activity.

Disabilities and Hate Crimes

• Disabled individuals face increased risk of physical and sexual abuse.
  • Higher incidence of violence where disability and gender discrimination intersect.
• Barriers in reporting and prosecuting crimes against disabled individuals.

Gender and Hate Crimes

• Gender as a characteristic of victimization in hate crimes.
  • Violence against women: a societal issue.
• Advocacy for violence against women to be recognized as hate crimes.
  • Legal challenges in prosecuting gender-related hate crimes.

Societal Objectification of Women

• Media and advertising often objectify women, impacting societal attitudes.
  • Example: sexual suggestiveness in advertisements (e.g., Carl's Jr.).

Case Study: Montreal Massacre

• 1989 Incident: Marc Lepine's attack at Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal.
  • Motivated by anti-feminist beliefs.
  • 14 women killed, additional victims wounded.
  • Incident spurred national outrage and movements against violence towards women.

Reflections and Legislative Challenges

• Need for better legislative measures to address gender-based hate crimes.
• Importance of preventive measures against societal violence.