Panelists take aim at hate crimes

Friday, June 16, 2000 | 9:28 a.m.

A community-wide plan to combat hate crimes is the goal of a panel of community leaders who participated in the Stop Hate Crimes Conference Thursday.

More than 200 people from a wide variety of backgrounds took part in the all-day conference sponsored by the National Conference for Community and Justice at the County Government Center.

The event featured workshops focusing on four minority communities: race, religion, sexual orientation and ability.

The conference was intended to raise awareness about hate crimes in Nevada and form a coalition to dismantle the systems that support hate crimes. It was sponsored by a grant from United Way.

Featured speakers and workshop panelists included Nevada Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa; Howard Zlotnick, first assistant U.S. attorney; Gene Collins, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People; Vincent Triggs, Nevada Association for the Handicapped; the Rev. Dave Casalaggio of Our Lady of Las Vegas Catholic Church; the Rev. Tommy Starkes of Tropicana Christian Fellowship; Sue Stengel of the Anti-Defamation League; Dr. Sayed Qazi of the Islamic community; and Dr. David Rowberry of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

The next meeting is scheduled for June 29 at the County Government Center.

archive