By Peter J. Lucido
We must become the Arsenal of Inclusion. This isn’t just an editorial—it’s a call to action for our community’s security and well-being. As Macomb County prosecutor, entrusted with safeguarding the safety and well-being of every resident, I support expanding Michigan’s ethnic intimidation protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This is crucial to ensure the safety and dignity of every citizen.
Michigan’s current laws rightly shield individuals from threats or violence based on race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, imposing severe penalties on those who violate these protections. Yet, glaringly absent are safeguards for those vulnerable due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In times of crisis, our nation has always risen to the challenge. Think back to when Michigan became the “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II, supplying the necessary tools to fight tyranny and defend freedom. Today, we face a different crisis: the threat to our citizens’ safety based on who they are or whom they love.
To this challenge, we must respond with the fortitude and resolve of our forefathers. Our American heritage, grounded in the principles of liberty and justice, faces a new threat: discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, which undermines our core values and jeopardizes our community’s security.
My dedication to justice for all is deeply rooted in my past. In 1985, during my time in law school, I received the “book award” for a paper advocating that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. This belief stemmed from the conviction that every child, especially those with special needs, deserves a loving home, regardless of the adopting parents’ sexual orientation. But despite the strides made since then, our work is far from over.
Just as the Axis powers in World War II sought to dominate and oppress, intolerance and hate today aim to divide and destroy. We cannot stand idly by. Our duty is to protect every member of our community from harm and ensure that no one lives in fear due to their identity.
This is why I created our Hate Crimes Unit and secured a vital U.S. Department of Justice grant paying 100% of all its costs, a distinction granted to only 16 organizations nationwide. This enabled us to appoint Michigan’s first and only solely-dedicated hate crimes prosecutor at a county level, ensuring robust enforcement and community education.
I also developed “Hate Crimes 101,” an easy-to-understand presentation that educates the public and police about hate crimes: what to do if you have witnessed or been a victim of a hate crime, tools to recognize hate crimes, and how we can come together as a community to prevent them from happening in the first place.
The idea that this issue does not concern us is dangerous. Discrimination anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We must act now to equip ourselves with the tools to combat hate, just as we once equipped our allies to fight against tyranny.
If you are involved in a community, religious, or other group and want to join our fight against hate crimes, please reach out to my office for more information. Hate Crime Unit Chief Patrick Coletta or I will present “Hate Crimes 101” to your group or organization free of charge. We can provide resources to help you stop hate in its tracks.
Let’s become the Arsenal of Inclusion to ensure our laws reflect our values of justice, dignity, and equality. By doing so, we protect not only our present but also secure a brighter Michigan for generations to come.
Please contact us toll-free at (833) NO-MOR-H8 (833-666-6748), or by email at hatecrimes@macombgov.org.
————————
Peter J. Lucido serves as Macomb County prosecutor and chief law enforcement officer of Macomb County. Prior to being prosecutor, Lucido served as a state senator and state representative in the State Legislature. He also served as a member of the Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Commission, Michigan Law Revision Commission, Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws, and Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force.
We must become the Arsenal of Inclusion. This isn’t just an editorial—it’s a call to action for our community’s security and well-being. As Macomb County prosecutor, entrusted with safeguarding the safety and well-being of every resident, I support expanding Michigan’s ethnic intimidation protections to include sexual orientation and gender identity. This is crucial to ensure the safety and dignity of every citizen.
Michigan’s current laws rightly shield individuals from threats or violence based on race, color, religion, gender, or national origin, imposing severe penalties on those who violate these protections. Yet, glaringly absent are safeguards for those vulnerable due to their sexual orientation or gender identity.
In times of crisis, our nation has always risen to the challenge. Think back to when Michigan became the “Arsenal of Democracy” during World War II, supplying the necessary tools to fight tyranny and defend freedom. Today, we face a different crisis: the threat to our citizens’ safety based on who they are or whom they love.
To this challenge, we must respond with the fortitude and resolve of our forefathers. Our American heritage, grounded in the principles of liberty and justice, faces a new threat: discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals, which undermines our core values and jeopardizes our community’s security.
My dedication to justice for all is deeply rooted in my past. In 1985, during my time in law school, I received the “book award” for a paper advocating that gay couples should be allowed to adopt children. This belief stemmed from the conviction that every child, especially those with special needs, deserves a loving home, regardless of the adopting parents’ sexual orientation. But despite the strides made since then, our work is far from over.
Just as the Axis powers in World War II sought to dominate and oppress, intolerance and hate today aim to divide and destroy. We cannot stand idly by. Our duty is to protect every member of our community from harm and ensure that no one lives in fear due to their identity.
This is why I created our Hate Crimes Unit and secured a vital U.S. Department of Justice grant paying 100% of all its costs, a distinction granted to only 16 organizations nationwide. This enabled us to appoint Michigan’s first and only solely-dedicated hate crimes prosecutor at a county level, ensuring robust enforcement and community education.
I also developed “Hate Crimes 101,” an easy-to-understand presentation that educates the public and police about hate crimes: what to do if you have witnessed or been a victim of a hate crime, tools to recognize hate crimes, and how we can come together as a community to prevent them from happening in the first place.
The idea that this issue does not concern us is dangerous. Discrimination anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We must act now to equip ourselves with the tools to combat hate, just as we once equipped our allies to fight against tyranny.
If you are involved in a community, religious, or other group and want to join our fight against hate crimes, please reach out to my office for more information. Hate Crime Unit Chief Patrick Coletta or I will present “Hate Crimes 101” to your group or organization free of charge. We can provide resources to help you stop hate in its tracks.
Let’s become the Arsenal of Inclusion to ensure our laws reflect our values of justice, dignity, and equality. By doing so, we protect not only our present but also secure a brighter Michigan for generations to come.
Please contact us toll-free at (833) NO-MOR-H8 (833-666-6748), or by email at hatecrimes@macombgov.org.
————————
Peter J. Lucido serves as Macomb County prosecutor and chief law enforcement officer of Macomb County. Prior to being prosecutor, Lucido served as a state senator and state representative in the State Legislature. He also served as a member of the Michigan Criminal Justice Policy Commission, Michigan Law Revision Commission, Michigan Commission on Uniform State Laws, and Michigan Elder Abuse Task Force.
