
Hate crimes in New York are defined as criminal acts involving violence, intimidation, and destruction of property based on bias, prejudice, and perceived identity. These crimes are targeted at individuals or groups based on their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, age, disability, or sexual orientation. The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in various areas, including employment, housing, public accommodation, and credit transactions, based on protected characteristics. Hate crimes can have traumatic impacts on victims and send a message of intolerance to the wider community. New York recognizes the serious nature of these crimes, and the New York City Police Department has a Hate Crime Task Force to address them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of Crime | Criminal acts involving violence, intimidation, and destruction of property |
| Motivation | Bias and prejudice |
| Target | Individuals, groups, or public/private property |
| Bias Factors | Race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, creed, marital status, familial status, conviction/arrest record, transgender status, or gender dysphoria |
| Hate Symbols | Yes, displaying or selling hate symbols is prohibited |
| Sentencing | Enhanced penalties, mandatory prevention and education programs |
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What You'll Learn

Hate-motivated symbols
In New York, displaying certain hate-motivated symbols can result in hate crime charges. The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination based on protected characteristics such as race, colour, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, and transgender status.
The New York Police Department (NYPD) defines a hate crime as any unlawful act that is motivated in whole or substantial part by a person's, group's, or place's identification with a particular race, colour, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force investigates and provides assistance to victims of hate crimes, including those involving hate symbols.
Examples of hate-motivated symbols that could be deemed hate crimes include hanging a noose or painting a swastika. These symbols are often associated with racial hatred and intimidation, targeting individuals or groups based on their perceived race or ethnicity.
Other potential hate-motivated symbols may include explicit discriminatory messages or images targeting a specific group. For instance, displaying anti-LGBTQ+ symbols or messages targeting the LGBTQ+ community could constitute a hate crime. Similarly, displaying symbols or messages that promote religious intolerance, such as anti-Semitic or Islamophobic content, could also fall under hate crime charges.
It is important to note that freedom of speech is protected by the Constitution, and offensive or hateful speech is generally considered a form of protected expression. However, when hateful symbols or speech are used to intimidate or target individuals or groups based on their protected characteristics, they may cross the line into hate crime territory and face legal consequences.
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Discrimination in employment
- Race
- Color
- Creed
- Sex
- Age
- Disability
- National origin
- Marital status
- Familial status
- Arrest or conviction record
- Sexual orientation
- Gender identity
- Transgender status
- Gender dysphoria
- Religion
- Immigration status
- Military service
- Pregnancy
- Caregiver status
- Credit history
- Status as a victim of domestic violence, stalking, or sex offenses
Discrimination can occur when an employer makes decisions based on these protected characteristics rather than an individual's skills or job performance. For example, it is considered discrimination if a person is denied a job or a promotion because of their race, or if they are paid less than similarly qualified employees from another race. Additionally, employers cannot discriminate against workers for engaging in certain lawful activities outside of work hours, such as participating in political activities or using legal products.
To address discrimination in the workplace, individuals can report incidents to the NYC Commission on Human Rights, which is responsible for enforcing the City's anti-discrimination laws. The Commission investigates acts of discrimination and works to hold violators accountable. New Yorkers also have the right to a workplace free from harassment, which is included in the definition of discrimination. Harassment constitutes a continued pattern of unwelcome behaviour based on any of the protected characteristics.
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Assault
In New York, a person commits a hate crime when they commit a specified offense, including assault, and either:
- Intentionally select the victim, in whole or in part, because of their race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
- Intentionally commit the act constituting the offense, in whole or in part, because of their perception of the victim's race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
- Assault in the third degree
- Assault in the second degree
- Gang assault in the second degree
- Gang assault in the first degree
- Assault in the first degree
- Aggravated assault upon a person less than eleven years old
For example, an assault motivated by the victim's race or religion would constitute a hate crime in New York. The penalties for hate crimes are enhanced compared to regular assault charges because they have a more significant impact on the victim and the community they belong to.
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Hate crime targets
Hate crimes in New York are motivated by bias and prejudice, with victims selected based on their race, colour, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation. These crimes can target individuals or groups and can also be directed at public or private property. For example, displaying hate-motivated symbols, such as a noose or a swastika, can constitute a hate crime.
The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in various areas, including employment, housing, public accommodation, and education, based on protected characteristics such as race, colour, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity. This law aims to protect individuals from discrimination and promote equal opportunities.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) defines a hate crime as an unlawful act motivated by the victim's actual or perceived identity, including race, colour, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force takes these incidents seriously and provides assistance to victims through their Community Affairs team.
Hate crimes can have traumatic and emotional impacts on individuals and communities. They send a message of intolerance and discrimination to the groups with which the victim identifies. In New York, hate crimes are subject to enhanced penalties due to their severe consequences and the need to protect the diverse fabric of society.
It is important to note that offensive or hateful speech is generally protected under freedom of speech. However, when it crosses the line into criminal acts of violence, intimidation, or destruction of property, it becomes a hate crime. New York has taken steps to prevent and combat hate crimes, providing funding to improve the safety of organisations at risk and offering assistance to victims through the Office of Victim Services (OVS).
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Hate crime charges
In New York, hate-motivated symbols can result in hate crime charges in addition to the underlying committed crime. The New York State Human Rights Law prohibits discrimination in employment, apprenticeship, housing, public accommodation, education, and credit transactions based on protected characteristics such as race, color, creed, sex, age, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, and gender identity.
The New York City Police Department (NYPD) defines a hate crime as any offense or unlawful act motivated in whole or substantial part by a person's, group's, or place's identification with a particular race, color, religion, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, ancestry, national origin, or sexual orientation. The NYPD's Hate Crime Task Force takes the lead in investigating and responding to hate crimes.
When a person is convicted of a hate crime in New York, the court may require them to complete a program, training session, or counseling session directed at hate crime prevention and education, in addition to any other authorized dispositions. These programs aim to address the underlying biases and prejudices that contribute to hate crimes.
It is important to note that offensive or hateful speech is generally protected under the Constitution as free speech. However, when it incites violence or contributes to a hostile environment, it may cross the line into a hate crime. Victims of hate crimes can report them to the local precinct or the NYPD Hate Crime Task Force and will be provided with appropriate assistance, regardless of their immigration status.
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Frequently asked questions
A hate crime is a traditional offense that is motivated by bias. It is committed when a specified set of crimes is committed targeting a victim because of their perceived or believed race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
In New York, a hate crime is an offense motivated in whole or in substantial part by a belief or perception of a person’s, a group’s, or a place’s identification with a particular race, color, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, religion, religious practice, age, disability, or sexual orientation.
Some examples of hate-motivated symbols that can result in hate crime charges in New York include hanging a noose or painting a swastika.
To report a hate crime in progress or any emergency in New York, call 911. Non-emergencies should be reported to the local precinct.















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