Media members, FBI agents and co-authors Casey Sherman and Dave Wedge, who wrote The New York Times bestseller, Boston Strong, gathered Wednesday, March 18 for the unveiling of Crime Museum’s newest permanent exhibit, entitled Attacks on America: The Fight Against Domestic Terrorism and Hate Crimes. This exhibit pays respect to the victims of brutal terrorist attacks and hate crimes committed on American soil. In doing so, the museum hopes to raise awareness and educate the public on what constitutes a hate crime and how these crimes are investigated and prosecuted.
KEY EXHIBIT ARTIFACTS:
· Boston Marathon Bombing: runner’s bib, medals, backpack, hat, flags, images, and personal statements
· Matthew Shepard & James Byrd Prevention Act signed into Law by President Obama in 2009: Information on the Law, Mathew Shepard’s book written with his mother
· Jason Collins’ Retired NBA #98 Jersey: The first and only openly gay NBA player, who wore jersey #98 in honor of Matthew Shepard, killed in 1998 by a violent hate crime
· Anthrax Attacks
· Oklahoma City Bombing
· Unabomber letters
· 9/11 rubble
· Aryan Nations and Ku Klux Klan memorabilia: ceremonial robe, jewelry, business cards, flags, books, visuals
· Family Research Council shooting: Backpack, gun, ammo, Chick-fil-a wrappers used in the
· Virginia Jihad attacks, 2003: One of the rifles used by a group of extremists planning and training to attack America overseas, using a paintball war games facility in Spotsylvania County, Virginia
“The purpose of this exhibit is not for people to look at it casually and say ‘cool.’” said Crime Museum’s Chief Operating Officer Janine Vaccarello. “We want people to stop in their tracks because it hits their hearts. We hope this exhibit will raise awareness and emphasize the importance of educating people, as a way to prevent hate crimes.”
For additional information, visit www.crimemuseum.org
