Governor Rell Signs New Law Banning

Use of Nooses to Threaten or Intimidate

Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law Senate Bill 604, An Act Concerning Hate Crimes, which strengthens state law by making it a crime to display a noose as a way of harassing or threatening someone.

“Connecticut simply will not tolerate bigotry or racism,” Governor Rell said. “Let this bill send that message loud and clear. Using a noose – a symbol of the racially motivated lynchings during the late 19^th and first half of the 20^th century – to intimidate anyone because of their race or any other characteristic is a repugnant and cowardly act. No one should be subject to that kind of treatment.

 “This new law is carefully written to make it clear if someone used a noose, for example, in a Halloween display or a theatrical production they would not be subject to prosecution,” the Governor said. “But like burning a cross on someone’s lawn or painting a swastika on a religious monument, there are certain types of hate-filled symbolism that we will not allow anyone to use to bully another person.”

In December Governor Rell contacted the offices of the Chief State’s Attorney, the Department of Public Safety and the U.S. Attorney for Connecticut to condemn a rash of incidents involving nooses.

Nooses were discovered at construction sites in West Hartford and Stamford, at a home improvement store in West Hartford, under a Bridgeport police officer’s vehicle and at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London. Supporters of the bill believe many other incidents go unreported.

The new law, which takes effect October 1, passed unanimously in both the Senate and House of Representatives. It was supported by the Division of Criminal Justice and the Connecticut Police Chiefs Association, among others.