KITCHEN INTRODUCES ANTI-NOOSE LEGISLATION

            HARRISBURG, February 22 — In light of a recent rash of incidents where a noose was used to intimidate or send a threatening message to African-American individuals, State Sen. Shirley Kitchen (D-Phila.) today introduced “Anti-Noose” legislation aiming to end this practice.

 “The noose is a symbol of dark times in American history where hate and intimidation towards African-Americans ran high,” Kitchen said.  “This type of hatred has no place in this day and age.”

The legislation (Senate Bill 1294) would make it a crime to intentionally or recklessly display a noose or use the symbol in a manner to intimidate or endanger any individual through its display.

“As a society, we must be conscious of others,” Kitchen said.  “That means understanding the historically bad connotation the noose holds for African-Americans.”

The noose was used in lynchings in the Old South.

            The legislation would also include any symbol that is offensive to the race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, mental or physical disability, sexual orientation, gender or gender identity of any individual or group of individuals.