WASHINGTON - The Human Rights Campaign, the nation's largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organization, today expressed outrage at the indictment of Robert Hannah on a charge of misdemeanor assault for the attack and death of Tony Randolph Hunter during a September 2008 crime in the District of Columbia. Hunter, a gay man, died from injuries he sustained after being punched in the face by Hannah. HRC also reiterated its pledge to support Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV), a local DC based organization organized after Hunter's death, to bring awareness and advocate against hate motivated violence in DC.

"The witness accounts of the crime indicate that Hunter was violently attacked for no other reason than his sexual orientation. Yet the alleged perpetrator stands indicted for only misdemeanor assault. Today's indictment is nothing short of outrageous. The maximum penalty this individual will be able to receive, if convicted of the charge of misdemeanor assault, is 180 days in jail. There is no justice in an indictment that has a maximum penalty of six months in jail for taking another person's life," said Human Rights Campaign President Joe Solmonese. "As we have in the past, we will continue to support the efforts of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence ("GLOV") to push for an open and transparent investigation into this case. The public has a right to know how this happened."

On September 7th, 2008, Tony Randolph Hunter was brutally attacked in downtown Washington, DC while out with friends. The attack left Hunter lying unconscious on the street. He was taken to the Howard University Hospital by police where he died ten days later without regaining consciousness.

The primary mission of Gays and Lesbians Opposing Violence (GLOV) is to work to reduce violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender individuals (and those perceived as LGBT) through community outreach, education, and monitoring cases to ensure that the rights and dignity of LGBT victims are respected and protected. GLOV also seeks to assist victims of anti-LGBT violence by advocating on their behalf, encouraging reporting, and providing a community of support. For more information, e-mail info@glovdc.org or visit their website at: http://www.thedccenter.org/programs-glov.html

The Human Rights Campaign is America's largest civil rights organization working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realize a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.