The police at Michigan State University have identified seven people as suspects in an incident at the university library on Monday, where a group made offensive comments about the victims' sexual orientation and then physically attacked them.
MSU Police and Public Safety mentioned that the attackers assaulted two individuals, possibly targeting them because of their sexual orientation. statement on Tuesday.
According to university officials, the suspects have no affiliation with MSU, and they will seek charges once the investigation is finished.
The victims were harassed near the library's entrance on the first floor, as stated by MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant.
Guerrant explained that after the initial encounter, the two MSU students went to the third-floor study area, followed by a group of high school-aged boys. WKARThe altercation took place at that point, according to Guerrant.
MSU's library is open to the public until 6:00 p.m., and the attack occurred at 5:50 p.m. on Monday, officials reported.
A distressing video was posted anonymously, showing the violence in the library stacks. Authorities did not provide details about the victims' injuries.
MSU's LGBTQ Pride Month was ongoing during the attack, making it even more significant, as highlighted by officials. Officials stressed the importance of the attack happening during MSU's LGBTQ Pride Month and the impact of discrimination or harassment on protected identities.
Michigan law currently only considers racial bias for hate crimes, with discussions ongoing about including other protected classes such as LGBTQ+ individuals.
Michigan's Attorney General stated that under current laws, the suspects cannot be charged with a hate crime solely based on anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Nessel, the Attorney General, emphasized the need for the proposed laws in both the House and the Senate to address this issue, expressing dissatisfaction with the current legislation.
Nessel criticized the proposed bills in the Democrat-controlled Michigan House and Senate, particularly regarding sentencing guidelines for hate crime convictions. Dana Nessel Nessel expressed dissatisfaction with the light sentencing for hate crimes, questioning the effectiveness.
Bridge Michigan
“Why not just give them a parking ticket?”
Last year, Michigan lawmakers passed a bill addressing hate-motivated vandalism targeting anti-LGBTQ+ bias. told Twenty-two states and certain US territories have hate crime laws that include LGBTQ+ individuals. Some have legislation protecting 'sexual orientation' but not 'gender identity'.. Following this incident, the Michigan Attorney General spoke out.
criticized the state legislature for not including LGBTQ+ individuals as a protected class.institutional desecration” bill last year that penalizes hate-motivated vandalism to churches, schools, museums, and community centers. That law addresses anti-LGBTQ+ bias.
Twenty-two states and Washington DC, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands have LGBTQ+-inclusive hate crime laws on the books. Another 11 have passed legislation that protects “sexual orientation” but not “gender identity”.
