As the number of hate crimes continues to rise in California, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced additional funding, resources and guidance designed to protect affected residents.
Allocations include $91.4 million to 173 local organizations across the state to support victims, provide resources, and accelerate anti-hate measures.
The first major statewide media campaign titled “CA vs Hate” with print, radio and digital ads will be run in English, Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Korean, Tongan, Mixtec and Hmong.
The campaign will target traditionally hard-to-reach communities. And a letter to all California public school leaders emphasizing their legal responsibilities to ensure that ethnic studies curricula are appropriate and do not reflect or promote prejudice, bigotry or discrimination.
“An attack on any one of our communities is an attack on everything we stand for as Californians,” Newsom said in a press release. “As hate-fueled rhetoric drives increasing acts of bigotry and violence, California is taking action to protect those targeted for who they are.
“We are strengthening our support for victims and anti-hate programs and tackling ignorance and intolerance through education to prevent hate in our communities.”
The announcements come on the heels of a Southern California store owner who was shot and killed because a rainbow pride flag was hanging outside his clothing store. In the first month since the governor launched the “CA vs Hate” hotline, there have been 180 reports of acts of hate across California.
