Lawmakers Debate ‘Blue Lives Matter’ Bill In State Capitol

A proposal to classify crimes committed against police officers as hate crimes received public testimony Thursday in the state Capitol.

Hate crimes in Wisconsin are defined as crimes motivated by the victim’s “race, religion, color, disability, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry.”

A proposal from Rep. David Steffen, R-Green Bay, would add employment as a law enforcement officer to that list. The bill is part of a nationwide movement responding to recent targeted attacks on law enforcement across the United States.

“We have to be taking additional steps to show our support and protection for those who protect and serve us every day,” Steffen said.

A few law enforcement officials testified in support of the legislation Thursday.

Adam Day, a deputy sheriff at the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, spoke about being the victim of a 2016 assault.

“The young man physically attacked me, landing punches to my face and to my head, all due to one experience so long ago, and now his hate for police officers,” Day said.

Critics of the proposal say it draws an inappropriate parallel between something like race or sexual orientation and a job.

“Therein lies the dilemma: that you would equate a job with folks’ identity that can’t be removed at the end of the day, so tonight when I go home, I won’t hang up my Latina-ness,” said Rep. JoCasta Zamarripa, D-Milwaukee.

The so-called “Blue Lives Matter” proposal could enhance penalties for crimes against officers by up to five years of increased imprisonment and $5,000 in additional fines.

The bill has yet to receive a vote in committee.