The Stop the Hate Program continues to raise awareness about the importance of people uniting to restore respect for each other, embrace the strength of diversity, and build safe and equitable communities in California.
Over 200 community leaders from across California gathered at the State Capitol on May 13 to reaffirm that message at the first-ever “Stop the Hate Day of Action,” a coordinated effort to raise awareness about hate incidents and hate crimes.
Taneicia Herring, Government Relations Specialist for the NAACP California Hawaii State Conference (Cal-Hi NAACP), was one of the participants who educated policymakers about the increasing rates of hate incidents in California and the need for continued resources and support.
“Every community is affected by hate,” Herring said. “There’s no doubt in my mind that hate will continue to increase. So, we need as many resources as we can get to fight against it.”
The Stop the Hate program is a statewide initiative of 180 organizations dedicated to serving survivors of hate and fostering healthy neighborhoods. Funded by organizations like the California Department of Social Services, the program is designed to combat hate crimes and discrimination by providing direct services, prevention, and intervention to victims.
Herring said the Legislative Day event was organized by the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Equity Alliance. The Alliance supports 42 organizations representing people living with disabilities as well as the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI), African American and Black, Latino, Indigenous and LGBTQ+ communities.
The event began with opening remarks and training at the UC Center. The program included remarks by Assemblymember Mike Fong (D-Alhambra), Chair of the California Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (AAPILC); Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-San Jose), Parliamentarian of the California AAPILC; Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San Jose); and former Assemblymember Phil Ting.
