In a Tuesday press release, State Representative Vernon Jones (D) announced that he will introduce the Jones Amendment when the 2020 legislative session resumes, that will accompany other hate crime legislation to make it punishable by law to commit a crime based on a person’s political party affiliation or ideology.
The Jones Amendment will be modeled after legislation that Rep. Jones previously introduced, House Bill 1120, before the 2020 legislative session was suspended due to COVID-19, according to the press release.
Under House Bill 1120, if a misdemeanor is committed because of actual or perceived political beliefs or political associations, defendants could be sentenced to imprisonment for three to 12 months and face a fine up to $5,000. The bill also states that if the offense is a misdemeanor of a high and aggravated nature, defendants could face imprisonment for six to 12 months and face a fine up to $5,000; if the offense is a felony, defendants could be sentenced to imprisonment for up to two years.
“Americans are being attacked nationwide because of their party affiliation and political ideology. I have personally been subjected to hate speech and threats because of my support for President Trump’s reelection,” said Rep. Jones. “While we are discussing hate crimes legislation in Georgia, this could address another form of hate crime that people are experiencing.”
Rep. Jones also took to Twitter Tuesday, explaining he has “watched countless videos of Trump supporters getting attacked in the streets simply due to their support of President Donald Trump”.
He tweeted: “Political affiliation should be a protected class, right alongside race, gender, and religion, and my legislation will do just that. Making any politically motivated attack a HATE CRIME. Wearing a MAGA hat should never endanger your life.” Continued Below
Jones continued on Twitter: “I’ve watched countless videos of Trump supporters getting attacked in the streets simply due to their support of @realDonaldTrump. Let’s call this what this is: a hate crime. And as we return to the legislature next week, I’ll be introducing legislation that’ll make it such.”
“I urge @GovKemp, @GeoffDuncanGA, and Speaker Ralson to support this legislation as we work to put an end to political violence in our great state and provide a blueprint for the rest of the nation to do so as well,” he said.
“Georgia House BIll 1120 will strengthen the Hate Crime!” Jones explained. Video Below
In April, Rep. Vernon Jones announced his endorsement for President Donald Trump:
I’m a Georgia State Representative and lifelong Democrat. But in this election, I’ll be casting my vote for @realdonaldtrump.
I didn’t leave the Democratic Party. The Party left me. #MAGA #KAG #WalkAway pic.twitter.com/BUs4kRZ7JG
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) April 15, 2020
Rep. Vernon Jones’ official tweets:
Political affiliation should be a protected class, right alongside race, gender, and religion, and my legislation will do just that.
Making any politically motivated attack a HATE CRIME.
Wearing a MAGA hat should never endanger your life.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) June 9, 2020
I’ve watched countless videos of Trump supporters getting attacked in the streets simply due to their support of @realDonaldTrump.
Let’s call this what this is: a hate crime. And as we return to the legislature next week, I’ll be introducing legislation that’ll make it such.
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) June 9, 2020
Georgia House BIll 1120 will strengthen the Hate Crime!
— Vernon Jones (@RepVernonJones) June 9, 2020
