Why It’s Important: The Impact of Hate in Communities
When a victim is attacked because of their real or perceived race/ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation, the message is, “People like you are not welcome here and are not safe here. ”Even acts of vandalism or verbal threats can send powerful shock waves of fear to all who recognize they could have been a target. Fear and isolation caused by hate incidents degrade the quality of life for people in the targeted group and drive decisions about where to live and work, and how much to participate in the community.
It is critical that public officials, law enforcement agencies, community groups, and all residents recognize hate incidents for what they are and stand together to demonstrate support for communities who have been targeted.
Building awareness among residents about the importance of reporting and tracking hate incidents and hate crimes is an essential part of building community safety. As part of UAH Week activities, law enforcement and community partners can conduct information sessions to share the different ways people can report hate incidents, including via community liaisons, directly to local law enforcement agencies, and via online reporting platforms.
Any victim or witness of a hate incident or crime in California can report via California vs Hate’s non-emergency reporting system online at CavsHate.org or by calling 833-8-NO-HATE (833-866-4283) Monday – Friday from 9 AM – 6 PM. Online reporting is available in 15 languages, and the hotline provides support in over 200 languages.
Visit the UAH Week website for more information about hate crimes.
UAH Week History
In 2017, following the tragic events related to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, VA, city leaders in Berkeley, Oakland and San Francisco and other Bay Area cities prepared for a wave of planned hate group rallies. In an effort to visibly reject the messages of hate, the City of Berkeley created and displayed “United Against Hate” posters around town. The posters quickly and spontaneously spread throughout communities in the East Bay.
4The 2018 call to establish United Against Hate Week emerged from the civic and community leaders that were a part of this original poster campaign at a meeting convened by Not In Our Town, a national anti-hate organization based in Oakland. Twenty-four jurisdictions and thirteen school districts participated in the inaugural campaign. Thirty-five community events were planned, and 25,000 posters were distributed to homes, businesses, houses of worship, and workplaces.
What started in one city is now a statewide campaign that is spreading across the United States! United Against Hate Week is currently administered by a Steering Committee that includes Not In Our Town, the City of Berkeley and other cities, LA vs Hate, California vs Hate, and the California Civil Rights division.
Resources
This Tool Kit includes ideas for action and links to UAH Week campaign materials. For more information about how your community can stand up to hate – and for lots more resources! – please visit:
- United Against Hate Week website
- Not In Our Town
- CA vs Hate
- LA vs Hate
Who We Are
Since 2017 we have come together with state and local leaders, community members, activists, and so many others to stand United Against Hate. Our message is clear – we reject hate of any kind and believe that building a safer and more equitable world starts by working together.
Download the UAH Week Info Sheet and share it with your community!
By creating a lasting space that boldly displays “Mill Valley Stands United Against Hate,” we reinforce our commitment to our values and share a message that our residents and visitors will see every day, and one that we will uphold with accountability and pride.
Hate incidents and crimes involve evidence that bias, hatred, or prejudice have occurred based on the victim’s real or perceived race/ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation.
By reporting as a victim, witness, or advocate for a victim of hate crimes and hate incidents, you help identify areas in need of intervention and prevention resources such as education and protection of your legal rights.
