Hate Crime Surged 31% In California Last Year: Report

CALIFORNIA — Last year, a groundswell of activism swept California in the wake of George Floyd's murder. During the same year, hate crimes also rose in the Golden State — by 31 percent, according to an annual report released by the state attorney general's office Wednesday.

Hate crimes reported in 2020 topped any other year in more than a decade, according to the report. Last year's hate crime count was at its highest since 2008 when 1,397 cases were reported. In 2001, 2,261 hate crimes were reported following 9/11.

Reported hate crimes increased from 1,015 to 1,330 in 2020 and the number of victims surged by 23 percent, from 1,247 to 1,536.

Black people were victims in 30 percent of all hate crimes last year — 456 overall, up 87 percent from 2019. Black Californians account for 6.5 percent of the state's population.

"For too many, 2020 wasn’t just about a deadly virus, it was about an epidemic of hate," Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement Wednesday.

The state defines hate crimes as those targeting people because of their race or ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability. Definitions have been expanded at various times in recent years. Each hate crime event can include more than one related offense against more than one victim by more than one offender.

The report revealed a 107 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes last year, Bonta's office said. The number largely reflects an onslaught in crimes targeting Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders following reports that the coronavirus emerged from Wuhan, China.

The overall number of hate crimes targeting those of Asian and Pacific Islander decent was 89, but that was more than double the number in 2019. Most cases of discrimination were reported in March and April of last year, as the coronavirus pandemic began to upend life in California.

Crimes targeting Latinos increased from 110 in 2019 to 152 last year, and those against white Californians rose from 39 to 82.

While hate crimes based on race increased, those prompted by religion dropped 13.5%. Anti-Jewish events fell from 141 in 2019 to 115 in 2020 and anti-Islamic events decreased from 25 to 15.

Also, crimes targeting those for their sexual orientation dropped from 233 to 205, but those with a gender bias increased.

More than half of hate crimes are unreported, Bonta said.

"What we see from these reports is what we have seen and felt all year — we are in the midst of a racial justice reckoning in this country," Bonta said. "It’s multi-faceted, and it cannot be solved overnight."

Gov. Gavin Newsom has proposed $300 million to address the increase in hate crimes. One-third would go to support survivors, while the rest would aid in community-based responses to violence, he said Wednesday.

"To our neighbors who have been exposed to these unspeakable acts, know that we have your back and will use the tools at our disposal to increase safety," Newsom said. "We will work to promote diversity and inclusion, and ensure the safety of all Californians."

Bonta has also sent his report a new information bulletin to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors across the state.

"It’s going to take harnessing the resources at our disposal to ensure every community across the state feels safe and welcome," Bonta said. "I urge law enforcement and all Californians to make use of the tools being provided today. Together, we can tackle hate in all its forms."

View the full report here.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.