by Barbara Smith

Elected officials and leaders from LA vs Hate, the county’s anti-hate program under the Human Relations Commission, CA vs. Hate and other statewide coalition partners, gathered at a press conference at Watts Historic Train Station last Friday to launch the annual “United Against Hate” week. United Against Hate Week originated in 2017 as a poster campaign in Bay Area cities in response to white supremacist rallies that took place in Berkeley, San Francisco and other communities. a national call to action to stop hate and implicit biases. Today, UAHW has spread to about 90 organizations and cities across the country.  Friday’s gathering brought out a coalition of partners, activists, organizations, schools, and communities to rally together and spread messages of hope and vigilance in the fight against hate.

Among officials and speakers at Friday’s conference were L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell; Capri Maddox, Executive Director of the LA Civil Rights Department; Human Relations Commission Director Robin Toma; state Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish; and L.A. District Attorney George Gascón.

“United Against Hate Week is a powerful reminder that everyone can do something to stand up to hate, and it starts with making a daily commitment to not allowing or perpetuating racism, homophobia, antisemitism, islamophobia, anti-Asian, anti-Black, or any form of hate that only serves to divide us,” said Supervisor Mitchell.

With LA vs Hate encompassing a 5-county metropolitan area including Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties, communities have initiated varied activities to increase dialogue and provide creative solutions to an ever-increasing incidence of hate crimes. Although data on hate crimes which took place in 2023 is still being compiled, hate crimes in L.A. County rose to their highest level in 21 years in 2022, jumping 18% from the previous year.

Within the Inland Empire, in November of last year, the Pomona Valley NAACP hosted a “Stop the Hate” town hall in collaboration with the County of Los Angeles Human Relations Commission, the Pomona Unified School District, Latino & Latina Roundtable of San Gabriel Valley and other NAACP branches. The virtual event, which was facilitated by members of the Human Relations Commission, offered key data on anti-African American Hate crimes as well as hate crimes targeting immigrants, Asian/Pacific Islanders and members of the LGBTQ community. Also in November, the City of Claremont launched an art contest asking for submissions that fit the theme “Claremont Stands United Against Hate” in anticipation of United Against Hate Week; and the City of La Verne sent an open letter to the La Verne community regarding hate, signed by Mayor Tim Hepburn, urging community members to “reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected…and to report any incidents that go against the spirit of inclusivity that defines us, and to stand up against hatred in all its forms.”

LGBTQ people continue to be disproportionately impacted by hate violence. Reported hate crime events against the LGBTQ+ community increased across California, rising 29% from 303 in 2021 to 391 in 2022.  Long Beach’s LGBTQ Center, a resource that is one of La vs Hate’s long-standing partners, has stepped up to the challenge, providing a variety of programs to assist in combatting hate acts and divisive rhetoric.  “The Center understands the unique barriers LGBTQ survivors encounter when reporting due to bias and discrimination,” according to the Center. “LGBTQ-specific programs like ours are essential for helping survivors overcome the many barriers they face when accessing legal systems.” This year in August, as part of LA vs Hate’s summer of solidarity, a new mural, created by artist Myisha Arrellano, was unveiled in Long Beach celebrating the LGBTQ+ community in a ceremony sponsored by the Long Beach Human Dignity Program, along with the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations and other groups as a way to bring diverse people together through the unifying power of art. In the coming weeks, additional murals will be presented, honoring the Black and Latin communities, according to LA vs Hate.

The annual anti-hate campaign, typically held in November, was moved to late September this year to account in part for the November election, organizers said. Research has shown that hate crimes have increased in every election year since 1991, according to Brian Levin, professor emeritus at the Cal State San Bernardino School of Criminal Justice, and expert on extremism and hate crimes, who moderated a July roundtable discussion in Riverside, “How Does the Inland Empire Strike Back Against Hate?”  These crimes have “increased at double digit levels in major American cities in 2023,” he stated,  and with the charged political climate, many conclude this year is not likely to get better.

The Friday event was as much a celebration as a call to action. “We’re proud to join with partners up and down California to take a stand against hate,” said California Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish. “Together, we’re sending a clear message that there is no place for bias and discrimination in our state. Whether you report to CA vs Hate, local law enforcement, or community leaders and programs you trust, we’re working to help ensure there is no wrong door to get support. United Against Hate Week is a time for all of us to get involved in the fight against hate… And remember: You can always report and get support by calling 833-8-NO-HATE or visiting CAvsHate.org.”