Section 245 of Title 18 states that:

(b) Whoever, whether or not acting under color of law, by force or threat of force willfully injures, intimidates is or has been, or in order to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from –***

(2) any person because of his race, color, religion or national origin and because he is or has been –

(E) traveling in or using any facility of interstate commerce, or using any vehicle, terminal, or facility of any common carrier by motor, rail, water, or air;***

(5) any citizen because he is or has been, or in order to intimidate such citizen or any other citizen from lawfully aiding or encouraging other persons to participate, without discrimination on account of race, color, religion or national origin, in any of the benefits or activities described in subparagraphs (1)(A) through (1)(E) or subparagraphs (2)(A) through (2)(F), or participating lawfully in speech or peaceful assembly opposing any denial of the opportunity to so participate –

shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned not more than one year, or both;****

This statute prohibits any unlawful to willfully injure, intimidate or interfere with any person, or to attempt to do so, by force or threat of force, because of that other person’s race, color, religion or national origin and because of his/her activity as a traveler or user of a facility of interstate commerce or common carrier.