L.A. vs. Hate: Civil rights, human rights leaders converse out in downtown amid current spike in hate crimes in US

By Last updated Mar 19, 2021

LOS ANGELES (KABC) – Amid a worrying surge in hate crimes in the US, community leaders gathered outside the Los Angeles Administrative Hall on Wednesday to hold a rally between LA and hate.

“It is very easy to scapegoat people when people are ignorant and not clear about education and information and really understand what kind of multicultural society we are and who we are and to respect one another,” said Hilda Solis , LA District Director.

Activists have been tracking random crimes that have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Stop AAPI Hate group states that 3,800 incidents were reported in the past year and that there are many more that are not reported.

“So many have chosen not to share their story, whether because of cultural stigma or disillusionment with the language barrier that nothing is being done for them,” said Connie Chung-Joe of Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles.

The participants on Wednesday came from different racial, religious and cultural communities. But they say they are one and they must speak out against any act of hatred.

An official who said the alleged Atlanta gunman was having a “bad day” appeared to be promoting the racist COVID t-shirt

“All of us together will advance democracy in a pluralistic, multiracial creed – our greatest creed,” said Connie Rice, LA civil rights attorney. Pointing to the multiethnic group gathered behind her, she said, “This, ladies and gentlemen, is the future of the United States.”

Hate crimes can be reported anonymously by calling hotline 211.