U.S. Attorney Will Attend ‘United Against Hate’ Meeting in Montana

Missoula, MT (KGVO-AM News) - Montana’s U.S. Attorney Jesse Laslovich will be in Pablo on Wednesday for a special 'United Against Hate' meeting on the Flathead Indian Reservation.

KGVO News spoke to Laslovich about the meeting and its overall purpose.

Montana's U.S. Attorney to be in Pablo for 'United Against Hate' Meeting

“We are doing a United Against Hate Initiative event in Pablo at the  CSKT (Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribe) council chambers,” began Laslovich. “As you know, you and I previously talked about our other events that we have done; one in Billings, one in Missoula and now on the Flathead Indian Reservation.”

Laslovich said leaders from all over the United States are focusing on reducing hate crimes by building relationships, especially in states with Indian reservations.

Get our free mobile app

Stopping Hate Crimes a Top Priority for State and Federal Officials

“This is a top priority for Attorney General Garland and the U.S. Department of Justice Districts throughout the country,” he said. “All 94 of us are doing these outreach events to just talk about hate crimes, in particular in educating the public about the difference between a hate crime and a hate incident. For example, what kind of speech is constitutionally protected and what kind of speech is speech that leads to violent behavior when someone commits a violent act due to the hate they have in their hearts.”

Laslovich said there are specific parameters involved in declaring any incident a ‘hate crime’.

There are Certain Parameters Involved in what is called 'A Hate Crime'

“Just because for example, a white person commits a crime against a Native American doesn't in and of itself mean it's a hate crime, unless of course, there's some kind of writing from the individual or that they've said publicly that they're acting out against someone because of their status as an American Indian,” he said. “That would catch our attention and be something that we would want to investigate and pursue aggressively.”

The meeting will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29 in the CSKT Tribal Council chambers inside the new Tribal Complex in Pablo, Montana.
Those participating will include the U.S. Attorney’s Office, the FBI, CSKT Tribal officials and law enforcement, along with the Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Laslovich said the media is invited to attend.