Ahead of elections, LA County, community partners unite against hate

Frankie Aguirre has had enough when it comes to anti-gay harassment.

At a Friday event at the Watts Historic Train Station, the Los Angeles resident shared his story of being harassed for years by neighbors, saying it was “so bad” that he didn’t feel comfortable inviting visitors.

It took calling the county’s anti-hate hotline, connecting with resources and a care coordinator for Aguirre to get help moving to another place where he felt “safe and finally free” from the constant harassment. Now, Aguirre urges others to do the same and find the help that works for them.

Elected officials and leaders from L.A. vs. Hate, the county’s anti-hate program under the Human Relations Commission, CA vs. Hate and other statewide coalition partners came together in Watts on Friday, Sept. 20 to condemn such attacks. They also launched the annual United Against Hate Week.

Now in its seventh year, over 200 cities nationwide — including Los Angeles — have committed to being “United Against Hate” through the week of civic action.

The week calls for an end to rising “hate, discrimination and implicit biases that negatively impact diverse communities and neighborhoods,” officials said in a news release. Events and rallies will take place nationwide from Sept. 21 and 27, calling on local agencies to work with community members.

Officials at Friday’s conference included L.A. Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Human Relations Commission director Robin Toma, state Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish and L.A. District Attorney George Gascón. Nathan Hochman, who is challenging Gascon in the DA race, was also on hand.

“Iamproudtoseethe‘wholeofgovernment’standingunitedagainsthate,”saidExecutiveDirectoroftheCityofLA’sCivilRightsDepartmentCapriMaddox.

Across California, reported hate crimes have nearly doubled from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,970 in 2023, according to research from the state Department of Justice. Reported hate crimes in L.A. County also rose 63%, from 405 in 2019 to 664 in 2023, officials said. It was the most reported hate crimes in the state, with nearly 60% — 397 — occurring in the city of Los Angeles.

Attacks against LGBTQ+, Jewish and Muslim communities significantly rose across the state last year, the report noted.

Since its launch in September 2019, L.A. vs Hate has received more than 2,700 reports of hate, including over 800 in 2023 alone. Around 88% of callers have asked for personal assistance in case management, which officials said demonstrates the critical need for hate victim support.

A new “State of Immigrants” report in L.A. County revealed ongoing barriers for L.A.’s diverse, growing immigrant population, and the need for equity in fields from food security to medical care.

The annual anti-hate campaign — typically held in November — was moved to late September to account for the November election and the UN International Day of Peace, organizers said.

At Friday’s presser, coalition officials addressed the increase in divisive rhetoric and community tensions — including some violence — often seen during highly-charged election years.

“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,” saidL.A. Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “Our work to end hate is a shared responsibility that we must take seriously.”

The kickoff event also launched a new non-partisan campaign — called “Stop Hate. Vote.” — aimed to fight division, encourage civility and civic engagement, officials said. The campaign will be posted across L.A. transportation and parks signage, lifeguard towers and more.

For more information and to report any incidents, visit LAvsHate.org or call the multilingual hotline, 2-1-1. Visit www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for a list of UAHW events and programming nationwide.