In our ongoing series 19 Minutes with The 19th, we aim to give you, our readers, the opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at how our reporters cover the many issues impacting communities across the country.
During our last Instagram Live, I talked to reporter Barbara Rodriguez about what’s happening in statehouses across the country. A new live episode will premiere on Wednesday, April 7, at 5 p.m. CT. We’ll talk to general assignment reporter Mariel Padilla, who — following the March 16 Atlanta spa attacks — explained what counts as a hate crime.
Eight people were killed when a White gunman opened fire in three Atlanta area spas. All but one of the victims were women, and six were of Asian descent. Local authorities have not classified the attack as a hate crime despite mounting pressure to do so.
Padilla, who reported that most experts agree that U.S. hate crimes are vastly undercounted, will discuss the definition of a hate crime, the history of hate crimes in America, how they are counted and how the data is used.
Have a question for Padilla? Email me at [email protected] or tweet me using the hashtag #19MinutesWithThe19th.
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