California Vs. Hate Campaign: One Year In, Civil Rights Department Shares Wins, Goals

Antonio‌ ‌Ray‌ ‌Harvey‌ ‌|‌ ‌California‌ ‌Black‌ ‌Media‌ (CBM) – Last week, the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) shared the results of its California vs Hate campaign, including its online reporting tool and telephone hotline, one year after their launch. The California Vs Hate digital platform is the state’s first-ever multilingual resource to tackle the surge in hate incidents. Approximately 1,020 acts of hate crimes were reported through the online tool and hotline, according to data provided by the University of California Berkeley’s Possibility Lab to CRD. CRD Director Kevin Kish, state officials, media outlets, and community partners from across the state came together to mark the initiative’s first anniversary at a news conference held at the California Secretary of State Office in Sacramento on May 20. “​​This work is only just beginning, but it would not be possible without the advocacy of our community partners and the foresight of our state’s Administration and Legislature,” Kish stated. “With CA vs Hate, we’re doing our part to ensure that when people report they get support.” CA vs Hate was launched in May 2023 by Gov. Gavin Newsom to offer a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate acts. The...