Hate crimes are on the rise in rural California, where many ethnic minorities hesitate to report incidents due to distrust of the government.  

To address this, California launched CA vs Hate, a reporting and resource hotline designed to support individuals facing hate in the way they choose.  

In a media briefing on January 17, hosted by Ethnic Media Services, a panel of experts gathered to discuss the hotline and how it can help minority communities combat hate crimes. 

Speakers

  • Kevin Kish, Director of the CA Civil Rights Department
  • Chairwoman Regina Cuellar, Chairwoman of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians and Commissioner on the CA State of Hate
  • Gaonou Vang, Communications and Narrative Manager, at Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) 
  • Marlene Thomas, Executive Director, Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee

Since its debut in May 2023, “For the first time in California history, we’ve had a statewide hotline to help people targeted for hate report it and identify options for next steps,” said Kevin Kish.  

“This is not just a hotline where people tell the government what happened to them. It’s a tool to connect people who experience hate with culturally competent resources they need, in the communities where they live.”  

These resources include legal assistance, law enforcement referrals, mental health and counseling services, financial aid, and connections to community organizations such as health clinics and social service agencies.

Responding to hate crimes in California, a state-wide hotline was established to address the alarming rise in hate crimes motivated by race, ethnicity, and national origin. The data shows a significant increase, with hate crimes rising from 875 in 2020 to 1,017 in 2023, representing a substantial 16.23% growth.

A staggering 51.6% of all reported hate crimes in California fall under this category, highlighting the pervasive nature of this issue. Other motivations include sexual orientation (20.6%), religion (20%), gender (4.2%), and disability (0.9%).

A concerning study conducted by the federal Department of Justice between 2011 and 2015 revealed that a staggering 54% of hate crimes nationwide remain unreported to the police. This alarming statistic underscores the challenges faced by communities in reporting hate crimes, particularly those who are underrepresented and hesitant to involve law enforcement.

Kish emphasized the importance of addressing these barriers. He explained that communities that are most vulnerable to hate crimes are often the most underrepresented, as they fear reporting incidents to the police. Some individuals who have reported hate crimes have experienced inaction, leading them to lose faith in the system. Additionally, many people may not be aware of whether their experiences constitute legal crimes that warrant reporting.

In response to these challenges, the hotline was designed to overcome these barriers. Kish highlighted that people may not necessarily seek this information until they experience a hate crime themselves, and the hotline aims to provide accessible support wherever they are.

Californians can conveniently report hate crimes online at cavshate.org or by contacting a civil rights agent by phone at (833) 866-4281 or 833-8-NO-HATE. The hotline operates Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A remarkable feature of the hotline is the availability of free support in over 200 languages, ensuring inclusivity and accessibility for all individuals. Moreover, anonymous reporting is also offered, providing a safe space for those who may feel uncomfortable disclosing their identities.

In its inaugural year, the hotline received over 1,000 hate reports from nearly 80% of California’s counties. Notably, approximately two-thirds of those who reported hate crimes agreed to follow up for resources and support referrals.

However, it’s worth noting that all counties that reported zero or very few hate crimes were rural counties, such as Del Norte, Sutter, and Mariposa. This observation raises questions about the prevalence of hate crimes in rural areas and the challenges faced by communities in these regions.

In rural El Dorado County, northeast of Sacramento, where 74% of the population is non-Hispanic White and 2% is Native American, an epidemic of hate has emerged. Kim Stoll highlighted the conservative nature of the community.

For instance, Stoll mentioned an incident where tribal members refused to have car tags made in the parking lot. They expressed concerns that identifying themselves as tribal members would lead to problems. This observation struck Stoll as surprising, given the long history of the Hmong community on the reservation and their apparent isolation.

Gaonou Vang corroborated this sentiment. She explained that there is a lack of trust between the Hmong community and the broader society. This distrust can be traced back to the first generation of Hmong refugees from the Vietnam War and the Secret War in Laos during the 1960s.

Vang further noted that many Hmong individuals are naturalized citizens due to their former refugee statuses or birth in America. However, there has been a significant increase in the number of green card holders in the last decade. Approximately 4,500 of these individuals have been issued deportation orders due to convictions for various crimes, regardless of the severity of the offense. Even after serving their sentences and being released, they remain at risk of deportation.

With the increasing ICE raids targeting Southeast Asian communities, the signing of repatriation agreements with Cambodia and Vietnam, and the recent executive orders from the incoming Trump administration to remove Hmong individuals to Laos in 2020, there’s a growing concern and a decline in public trust in the government. Consequently, there’s a significant amount of underreporting of hate crimes.

In response to this situation, Vang emphasizes the importance of empowering youth as community leaders. She explains that when they receive education, they in turn educate their families, leading to a positive ripple effect within the community. Vang also highlights the work of CA vs Hate, which aims to help youth overcome distrust and report hate crimes that are prevalent in their communities.

Marlene Thomas points out that hate is prevalent in various communities, but what makes it stand out in their area is the significant demographic shift. She explains that while the older Hispanic community has assimilated, newer immigrants are facing discrimination from their own people.

In November 2023, six months after the launch of CA vs Hate, the organization organized a Stop the Hate conference. The local chief of police and the sheriff attended the event and went through the reporting process. However, Thomas notes that they only received two complaints. She acknowledges that there must have been more reports, but the lack of awareness and fear among the community hindered the reporting process.

Thomas recounts the formation of the committee in 2022, which was prompted by police harassment in their county, particularly targeting the African American community. Today, the committee has over 7,000 volunteers. They collaborate closely with the ACLU and conduct workshops to educate people about their rights and how to respond when stopped by the police or Border Patrol.

Thomas emphasizes the role of the hotline in disseminating information about reporting hate to schools and community institutions. However, she acknowledges that this is just one aspect of addressing hate. Ultimately, the goal is to maintain hope and foster a sense of inclusivity and understanding within the community.