Lawmakers: Include nooses as hate-crime symbols

Hanging a noose could become a hate crime in Maryland under a proposal by some lawmakers who say nooses have replaced white hoods and burning crosses as symbols of racial intimidation.

Lawmakers debated two bills Wednesday in a House of Delegates committee meeting, at which some legislators said adding nooses to hate crimes could violate free-speech rights. Supporters cited a noose hanging on the University of Maryland College Park campus in September and a noose left with a threatening note in a Baltimore City firehouse in November.