Free Republic

If you punch a punk in Manchester, it could be a hate crime. Police in the English city announced Wednesday that they will begin recording offenses against members of alternative subcultures in the same way they do attacks based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or transgender identity. The Greater Manchester force—the first in Britain to take the step—says “Goths, emos, punks and metallers” and members of other alternative groups often endured abuse. … “Some people discriminate against somebody else because they are wearing a Slayer T-shirt or have long hair,” said Jay White, 23, referring to the thrash metal...