Response of Angus King (ID-Maine)

“The most recent available data shows that hate crimes are falling in Maine, which is an encouraging sign – but the fact remains that even one hate crime is one too many. Additionally, it appears that Maine’s reduction in hate crimes is at odds with the national data, as hate crimes rose 17 percent nationwide from 2016 to 2017 – raising questions as to whether the 2017 data is part of a larger statewide trend or a one-year outlier. It is clear that there is more work to be done on this issue, both in Maine and across the nation, and I am committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to address hate crimes in any form.”