David I. Weprin, New York City Council member (Photo, as it appears on www.nyccouncil.info)

New York City Council members David I. Weprin and David Yassky will introduce a package of bills aimed at curbing hate crimes and discrimination.

The Sikh Coalition, a community-based organization that defends civil rights and civil liberties in the United States and educates the broader community about Sikhs, has also joined hands with the two members.

Weprin’s bill, called ‘Anti-Hate Crimes Bill,’ requires the Office of Emergency Management and other related agencies to organize a backlash mitigation plan that may be implemented immediately following an event that may initiate backlash violence or hate crimes against any group protected under NYC Code 8-102 (22), the hate crimes law.

David Yassky, New York City Council member (Photo, as it appears on www.davidyassky.com)

Weprin will also introduce Uniformed Agency Anti-discrimination bill that precludes all uniformed city agencies from mandating that their employees comply with a uniform code that would require such person to violate or forego a practice of his or her creed or religion, a press release said.

Yassky’s bill, called ‘Hate Crimes Fines Act,’ would impose civil penalties for those convicted of hate crimes in New York City.

A misdemeanor violation of the Hate Crimes Act of 2000 would trigger a $1,000 minimum fine, with a $5,000 maximum.

A felony violation would be a $10,000 minimum fine with a $25,000 maximum, the release added. Council Member James Gennaro will also introduce a resolution called Expansion of State Hate Crimes Law calling upon the State Legislature to expand the hate crimes law to include bias-motivated crime that is not just directed at a particular person or location.

Sikhs have been a target of hate crimes in the city since the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks because of their turbans and attires.