A Louisiana lawmaker says he hopes the state’s new “Blue Lives Matter” law gives pause to those who would target police for violence.
Republican state Rep. Lance Harris’ law, which was supported and signed by Gov. John Bel Edwards, doesn’t go into effect until Aug. 1. But it appears the law, which makes targeting police and other first responders a hate crime in Louisiana, would have been applicable in the attack on Baton Rouge police Sunday, USA Today reports.
Three officers were killed and three others wounded, one critically, during Sunday’s attack in the capital city by Gavin Long, who was killed by police in the shootout. Harris’ law is the first of its kind in the country.
“It sure looks like there’s a concerted effort to harm police officers,” says Harris, chairman of the House Republicans, referring to both the Baton Rouge shooting and the five officers killed in Dallas. “I hope adding police to the Louisiana hate crimes statute helps deter that kind of despicable activity.”
The Louisiana attack came a week after the death of Alton Sterling, a black man who was killed by police during a confrontation in Baton Rouge. Sterling’s death triggered days of protests by those who believe his death was unjustified.
State Police Supt. Col. Mike Edmonson has said Long was the lone shooter, but investigators haven’t ruled out accomplices leading up to the shooting.
“It offers an extra level of protection for those who put their lives on the line to protect us every day, and it’s symbolic of our appreciation for that service,” Harris said after his bill was passed in May. “We already had an extensive hate crime statute that covers many others; I think it’s appropriate to add police and first responders.”
USA Today has the full story.
