[Modernman]

By calling for declaration of a hate crime, the CAIR spokesman is calling for declaration of this as a Federal offense.

I don' think there is a federal hate crimes law, but I could be wrong.

[RightWhale]

I don't know the present status, but it was debated in the Senate. I view it as a takeover of some more police powers by FedGov. Some states have added hatecrime to their body of law, which somewhat blunts the Fed initiative.