We expect more than 500 people to attend in support of hate crime victims throughout Los Angeles County. We will gather in the Pierce College Plaza area, just off the Mason Street entrance to the campus, and numerous community organizations will join us, including the Los Angeles Police Department, Anti-Defamation League, San Fernando Valley Hate Crimes Alliance, Network Against Hate Crimes, as well as the Los Angeles County Human Relations Commission. We all must stand up and boldly proclaim our opposition to hate crimes. Anyone can be the target. These attacks are motivated solely by race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability.
Hate crimes can happen anytime, anywhere.
Perpetrators may be strangers to the victim or someone the victim has known for years. Attacks can be against the person, such as murder and assault, or property crimes, like vandalism and graffiti. While statistics clearly show a rise in hate crimes and hate crime incidents, there is a silver lining. More reporting of hate crimes is taking place, although more can be done and must be done. In addition, California Attorney General Bill Lockyer is developing a new hate crimes database that will be available to law enforcement officers statewide.