(LOS ANGELES, CA – 12/8/2022) – The Greater Los Angeles office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-LA) today called for renewed efforts to challenge the rising hate crimes and incidents in Los Angeles County, following the release of the LA County Commission on Human Relations 2021 Hate Crimes Report.
Los Angeles County witnessed the highest rise in hate crimes since 2002, with a 23% increase over the prior year and a 105% increase since 2015. Over the past seven years, hate crimes have steadily risen in the county, and this year alone, 786 hate crimes were documented. Hate crimes are notoriously underreported and under-prosecuted, which raises concerns that the numbers of hate crimes are likely much higher.
The report confirmed what CAIR-LA has cautioned in the past several years: hate crimes are increasing and becoming more violent. In fact, the report found that 74% of all hate crimes recorded were violent in nature, which represents the highest rate of violent hate crimes captured since 2003.
Of all hate crimes reported, 58% were motivated by race, ethnicity, and national origin. African Americans were disproportionately targeted in 2021 based on their race, while Anti-Asian hate crimes were higher than they have been in 20 years. Anti-Latino hate crimes rose by 10% and anti-Middle Eastern hate crimes grew from 3% to 11%. Anti-immigrant crimes also increased by a startling 48%.
Hate crimes motivated by religious bias rose by 29% in 2021, with a marked increase in the violent nature of these crimes. Hate crimes against Muslims increased by 150% in 2021. A troubling majority of religiously motivated attacks also targeted members of the Jewish faith.
SEE: 2021 LA County Hate Crime Report
In a statement, CAIR-LA Interim Director for the Center of the Prevention of Hate and Bullying Masih Fouladi said:
“We are particularly concerned for members of the American-Muslim community, who come from diverse nationalities, ethnicities, and racial backgrounds, many of whom faced targeted attacks. This year, hate crimes against Muslims more than doubled, and those were only the hate crimes that were reported. Many crimes go unreported, and even more hate incidents are never formally documented. These hate-motivated incidents hurt our families and our communities.
“No one should be subjected to hateful and violent acts based on their protected characteristics. CAIR-LA continues to combat hate in Southern California through its civil rights work and its policy initiatives.”
As a result of the increase in hate and bullying targeting people of faith as well as those of African, Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI), Black, immigrant, Middle Eastern descent, CAIR-LA recently launched the Center for the Prevention of Hate and Bullying to address these incidents more proactively.
To report hate crimes or bias incidents, call CAIR-LA’s office at (714) 776-1177. Residents of both Los Angeles and Orange Counties can find additional resources and mental health services by dialing 211.
CAIR-LA is Southern California’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-LA Digital Communications Manager Enjy El-Kadi, (714) 851-4851, eelkadi@cair.com