Three dozen black lawmakers introduced legislation this week that would make lynching a hate crime that would require an enhanced sentence.

“Lynching has never been classified as a federal crime, despite the many attempts over the years,” Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., said Wednesday. “While many may argue that lynching has been relegated to history, you only need to look at the events in Charlottesville last year to be reminded that the racist and hateful sentiments that spurred these abhorrent crimes are still prevalent in today’s American society.”