Brutal beating prompts #JusticeForDevin

Social media users are calling for stronger local hate crime laws after news of a violent beating in the US state of Mississippi went viral last week. Police say Devin Norman, a 26-year-old gay man, was assaulted by James David Scott on Friday following an altercation that began on Facebook. Images of Norman’s injuries circulated on social media, sparking a wave of support that includes a White House petition and a crowd-funding campaign.

Although people can be prosecuted for hate crimes under US law, Mississippi does not have laws addressing hate crimes based on sexual orientation. Using the hashtag #JusticeForDevin, many condemned the assault and called on law enforcement to investigate the incident as a hate crime.