Cuomo Unveils 3-Part Plan To Combat Hate Crimes In NY State

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. Andrew Cuomo says he has directed state police to create a special unit to investigate reports of hate crimes in New York.

Cuomo, a Democrat, announced the initiative Sunday at the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Manhattan as part of a plan to combat hate crimes in the aftermath of the divisive presidential election.

The governor told the Harlem church's congregation that he'll also push for legislation that expands protections under the state's human rights law to all students statewide. The other aspect of the three-part plan will create the nation's first emergency legal defense fund to ensure all immigrants have access to representation.

Cuomo's plan is a response to what he called the "ugly political discourse" that didn't end with Republican Donald Trump's win over Democrat Hillary Clinton in last week's election.

[STORY BY: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]