The civil rights leader said in a statement Monday that a Department of Justice report showing an 8 percent increase in hate crimes last year pointed to the need for a more vigorous response from Washington.

"This report confirms that we are not merely 'rabble rousing' but that we are responding to institutional neglect by the U.S. Department of Justice to protect the civil rights of American citizens," Sharpton said.

Sharpton said he hoped new Attorney General Michael Mukasey would quickly schedule a meeting with civil rights leaders and the Congressional Black Caucus to discuss the report.