islation did not have enough supporters to pass both Chambers. Congress has however passed the Violence Against Women Act, which says that all persons within the United States shall have the right to be free from crimes of violence motivated by gender. A person (including a person who acts under color of any statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, or usage of any State) who commits a crime of violence motivated by gender and deprives another of their rights of this section shall be liable to the party injured, in an action for the recovery of compensatory and punitive damages, injunctive and declaratory relief, and such other relief as a court may deem appropriate. In this law, Congress states that the term ''crime of violence motivated by gender'' means a crime of violence committed because of gender or on the basis of gender, and due, at least in part, to an animus based on the victim's gender. They go further to say the term ''crime of violence'' means an act or series of acts that would constitute a felony against the person or that would constitute a felony against property if the conduct presents a serious risk of physical injury to another, and that would come within the meaning of State or Federal offenses. (42 U.S.C. 13981)Since 1968, 18 U.S.C. 245 has instilled prosecution of a hate crime if the crime was motivated by race, religion, national origin, color AND if the perpetrator willfully injures, intimidates or interferes with, or attempts to injure, intimidate or interfere with - (A) Voting or qualifying to vote, qualifying or campaigning as a candidate for elective office, or qualifying or acting as a poll watcher, or any legally authorized election official, in any primary, special, or general election; (B) participating in or enjoying any benefit, service, privilege, program, facility, or activity provided or administe...
