Local activists address recent Bomb Threats and Hate Crimes

Sussex Pride and Speak Out Against Hate take a stand

DELAWARE – According some to advocacy groups, Delaware has some of the strictest laws combating hate crimes, However, some groups in the area think law enforcement agencies aren’t using the laws to truly help those affected. This week, Speak Out Against Hate (SOAH) sent a letter to Delaware State Police and police departments in Sussex County, to address recent hate crimes.

Over a year ago, SOAH was established to bring awareness to hate crimes in the area and potential push for stricter punishments and more police involvement. “We recognize that as the first responders on any act of hate, police must have a handle and a knowledge of how to combat any of these acts,” said SOAH founder Peter Shott. “At some point, what we want to do is send them a pledge that we will fight against hate whenever and wherever it occurs.” Shott says the group is hoping that if individuals report hate crimes as they happen, those offenders would be severely punished. He added that may deter those individuals who plan to commit these crimes from doing so in the future. “Hate crime laws are fairly strong, but only if they’re enforced,” said Shott.

Just this week, a string of bomb threats targeted Planet Fitness locations across Delmarva, stemming from what The Human Rights Campaign called a transphobic TikTok. The group says this has caused many community members to question their safety, and what they call a lack of protection against hate crimes.

Sussex Pride, a local LGBTQ+ advocacy group, says the community is affected by these acts. Executive Director, David Mariner, said there are positive ways the community can move forward. “For starters, the community needs to know that whenever a bias incident happens, that it’s important to communicate that to the police, and it’s important to make sure that the police document it as a hate crime, whether that’s an incident based on race, or ethnicity, or sexual orientation, or gender identity, or faith,” Mariner said.

Mariner says Sussex Pride is currently in communication with the FBI to establish a task force committee on bias crimes. This is a developing story, and more updates will be provided as they become available.

If you witness or are a victim of a hate crime, police ask that you contact law enforcement.