On Tuesday, September 18, students and faculty attended a Stop the Hate meeting. Stop the Hate is an advocacy group moving against hate crimes on college campuses.

The meeting was held by Stop the Hate facilitator’s senior media studies major Angela Lindeman and senior engineering physics major Josh Liimatta.

“Stop the Hate is helping gays and lesbians feel more comfortable with themselves and advocates inclusion for all minorities. The more you know, the more aware you are,” said Liimatta.

At the meeting, the definition of a hate crime was discussed. A hate crime is used to send a message to an entire social group through one person. After a victim experiences a hate crime they may feel isolated, powerless and degraded.

The Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Alliance (LGBT), multi-cultural women services and campus police are places that the University of Wisconsin-Platteville offers that can help students or faculty that have been influenced by a hate crime.

Stop the Hate holds informational meetings every month.

“I think everyone should come to at least one specific hate crime meeting,” said Lindeman. “I’m extremely open-minded. Educate yourself so you will be able to understand it before you judge.”

For more information about Stop the Hate visit stophate.org.