By Cynthia Gibson
Contributing Writer
WATTS — A coalition of elected officials, community groups, activists and victims of hate-motivated acts converged at the Watts Historic Train Station Sept. 20 in a show of solidarity to encourage the public to unite against and report hate crimes.
“United Against Hate Week,” Sept. 21–27, is a call for local civic action to stop hate, discrimination and implicit biases.
A number of celebrities and social media influencers were recruited to help promote United Against Hate Week including author, actor and storyteller Christopher Rivas, comedian Tig Notaro, actress Alyssa Milano and Paul George of the Los Angeles Clippers.
“War begets war, hate begets hate. That is always the formula,” Rivas said. “You bomb me, I bomb you. You hurt me; I hurt you. You dig a line in the sand, I make it fatter. We can’t dehumanize others without dehumanizing ourselves. It’s all connected.”
Reported hate crimes in California have nearly doubled in the last five years, from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,970 in 2023, according to a report released earlier this year by the California Department of Justice.
In Los Angeles County, reported hate crimes have skyrocketed. In 2022, figures released by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations reported hate crimes grew 18% — from 790 to 929 — the second largest number in more than two decades.
United Against Hate Week was hosted by LA vs. Hate, a community-centered program developed by the county Commission on Human Relations. LA vs. Hate was developed in 2019 to encourage all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against and report hate and support victims of hate crimes.
During the week-long event, local communities are hosting webinars, screenings, art projects, community dialogues, and meditation gatherings to increase engagement across neighborhoods and support efforts to stand up to hate.
“This is the first time that we have had this breadth of gathering, representing this many people, this many organizations in L.A. County, all working on a regular basis to fight hate,” said Robin Toma, executive director of the county Department of Human Relations. “We must take civic action, become upstanders, not bystanders in every community to stop the hate.”
Hate vs. LA has successfully raised awareness about hate incidents, leading to a notable rise in reported cases, indicating that more individuals feel empowered to report hate crimes. People who want to report a hate-motivated incident can call 211 or visit laversushate.org and receive confidential help.
Toma said the initiative is reaching people who would otherwise not report an act of hate, which is critical to ensure consequences for perpetrators.
Frankie Aguirre, a gay man who endured six years of verbal harassment and a violent attack, spoke about his experience and the assistance he received when he finally called 211 and asked for help.
“I couldn’t invite family or friends over because I was afraid of [neighbors] retaliating or singing something and disrespecting my people,” Aguirre said. “They would knock on my door and harass me. It was all bad.”
Through LA vs. Hate, Aguirre received counseling and support.
“I just want to let people know, don’t give up,” Aguirre said. “There is help, and LA vs. Hate is confidential and safe and just, it’s a click away or a phone call and don’t hesitate. You have a voice. Use it.”
“The reality is that hate has increased because, unfortunately, we’ve had people that have given a license to those that want to be public about their hatefulness,” said county District Attorney George Gascón. “Our office is leading the state in the number of hate crime prosecutions, and we will continue to do so because it’s the right thing to do.”
Kevin Kish, the head of the state’s Civil Rights Department, outlined his department’s mission to combat hate and discrimination throughout the state.
California vs. Hate is modeled after the Los Angeles County program and provides a statewide hotline where people targeted by hate can be connected with resources. Services from the program can include housing, financial and assistance navigating California’s compensation board, legal aid and mental health.
Services are available in more than 15 languages with simultaneous interpretation in more than 200 languages.
In its first year of operation, California vs. Hate received more than 1,000 reports of hate across the state from 80% of California’s counties.
County Supervisor Holly Mitchell reiterated the importance for people who have experienced incidents of hate to speak out and report the occurrence.
“We all have a responsibility to call it out and do something,” Mitchell said. “Utilizing 211 is what helps us collect data, state level, county level, so government can have the appropriate reaction.
“So, for those who want to deny the facts, we can show them this is real,” Mitchell added. “We have the data documented. That’s why having the courage to report the experience is so important. You’re helping the entire infrastructure and system.”
Executive Director for LA Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department Capri Maddox provided information on how to obtain justice in the areas of commerce, education, employment and housing. People who feel they have been discriminated against can file a claim at laisforeveryone.com.
Stop AAPI Hate Co-Founding Partner Kiran Bhalla is the project director for the county Stop the Hate grant program, which has given state resources to 180 community-based partners — 60 in L.A. County — to provide hate services to individual victims of hate and their families. The grants also fund prevention and intervention programs.
“It’s up to each of us to do the hard work needed to eradicate hate in our communities, to take a stand against hateful rhetoric in the public sphere,” Bhalla said. “And it is critically important for the state of California to continue its investment in the health, safety and security of its residents in the face of hate.”
This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.
Cynthia Gibson is a freelance reporter for Wave Newspapers.
