Massachusetts' attorney general is launching a new hotline to report harassment and intimidation of minority groups.
Residents are encouraged to call 1-800-994-3228 or fill out a civil rights complaint form online if they've witnessed or experienced bias-motivated threats, harassment or violence against racial, ethnic and religious minorities, women, immigrants and lesbian, gay and transgender individuals.
Staff and lawyers in Attorney General Maura Healey's office are monitoring the hotline.
The office says it will be tracking reports and referring cases to local law enforcement officials or the office's Criminal Bureau. Hate crimes are generally prosecuted by local district attorney's offices.
Healey, an openly gay Democrat, says she's launching the hotline following reports that people across the country have been targeted and harassed since the election of Donald Trump as president.
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