Every year, thousands of bias-motivated acts, commonly-referred to as "hate crimes" or "hate incidents" are committed across America.1 Generally speaking, any criminal act motivated by a specific bias against a victim's actual or perceived protected characteristic is a hate crime. A bias-motivated act that does not rise to the level of a crime is called a "hate incident." Hate crimes are prosecuted by city attorneys and district attorneys under California's penal code, while hate incidents can be the subject of civil lawsuits under California's civil code.
Many organizations provide publications and services focused on the prevention of discrimination and hate crimes in our communities. The following is a partial list of reports and organizations designed to serve as an informational service only. Listing here is not an endorsement of the organization or its web page content.
PUBLICATIONS
ORGANIZATIONS
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American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is a civil rights organization committed to defending the rights of people of Arab descent and promoting their rich cultural heritage. ADC supports the human and civil rights of all people and opposes racism and bigotry in any form.
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American Civil Liberties Union
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a private nonprofit dedicated to defending individual civil rights, including for minority and underprivileged communities, through its advocacy and litigation.
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Anti-Defamation League
Combats anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry in the U.S. and abroad through information, education, legislation, and advocacy. ADL serves as a resource for government, media, law enforcement, educators, and the public.
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice
The Asian American Advancing Justice Center (AAJC) serves the country's newest American communities by promoting justice for all Americans, empowering these communities, bringing local and national constituencies together, and ensuring Asian Americans are able to fully participate in the country's democracy.
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice — Los Angeles
Asian Americans Advancing Justice's mission is to advocate for civil rights, and social justice through litigation, policy advocacy, and leadership development.
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California Association of Human Relations Organizations
The California Association of Human Relations Organizations (CAHRO) is a statewide organization of human relations organizations to establish and support local and regional networks of human relations organizations. CAHRO provides on-site assistance to community organizations interested in organizing local and regional networks around the issue of hate violence and intergroup conflict resolution.
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Engaging Schools
Engaging Schools' mission is to collaborate with educators to create school communities where each and every student develops the skills and mindsets needed to succeed and make positive contributions in school, work, and life. This mission includes the elimination of biases and barriers related to race, ethnic origin, socioeconomic background, home language, gender, sexual orientation, religion, geographical location, and physical or mental abilities.
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Everyday Democracy
Everyday Democracy's mission is to work directly with local communities, providing advice and training and flexible how-to resources on issues such as racial equity, poverty reduction, education reform, and building strong neighborhoods.
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Facing History and Ourselves National Foundation
Facing History and Ourselves is an international educational and professional development organization whose mission is to engage students of diverse backgrounds in an examination of racism, prejudice, and anti-Semitism in order to promote the development of a more humane and informed citizenry.
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Gay-Straight Alliance Network
The Gay-Straight Alliance Network is an LGBTQ racial and gender justice organization that empowers and trains youth leaders to advocate and organize for safer schools and healthier communities.
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HateWatch: Southern Poverty Law Center
HateWatch, which is part of the Southern Poverty Law Center, monitors the media, the internet, and other sources to identify the activities of hate-related groups.
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Human Rights Campaign
The Human Rights Campaign is a nonprofit dedicated to LGBT civil rights and equality. It offers resources and support for LGBT individuals and related causes.
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Japanese American Citizens League
The Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) is a national organization whose mission is to safeguard the civil and human rights of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans and all communities who are affected by injustice and bigotry. JACL also works to promote and preserve the heritage and legacy of the Japanese American Community.
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Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics
Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) is a national, nonprofit organization, with a mission to achieve full participation and equality for Asian and Pacific Islanders (APIs) through leadership, empowerment, and policy.
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League of United Latin American Citizens
The League of United Latin American Citizens'mission is to advance the economic condition, educational attainment, political influence, housing, health and civil rights of the Hispanic population of the United States.
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Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund (MALDEF)
MALDEF is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the civil rights of the Latino population in the United States by promoting social change through advocacy, communications, community education, and litigation in the areas of education, employment, immigrant rights, and political access.
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National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP)
The NAACP's mission is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate race-based discrimination. It also seeks to ensure a society in which all individuals have equal rights without discrimination based on race.
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National Council of La Raza
The National Council of La Raza (NCLR) is a, nonprofit organization established in 1968 dedicated to Hispanic civil rights and advocacy. NCLR conducts applied research, policy analysis, and advocacy, providing a Latino perspective in five key areas—assets/investments, civil rights/immigration, education, employment and economic status, and health.
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National LGBTQ Task Force
The National LGBTQ Task Force seeks to end the discrimination LGBTQ people face in every aspect of their lives, including in housing, employment, healthcare, retirement, and basic human rights.
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National Urban League
The National Urban League's mission is to enable African Americans to secure economic self-reliance, parity, power and civil rights.
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Parents, Families, Friends and Allies United with LGBTQ People
Parents, Families, Friends, and Allies United with LGBTQ People seeks to end discrimination against LGBTQ individuals and to provide support for them and their families and allies. This support includes education, and advocacy to change attitudes and to create policies and laws that achieve full equality.
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Southern Poverty Law Center
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is dedicated to fighting hate and bigotry and seeking justice for the most vulnerable members of our society. Using litigation, education, and other forms of advocacy, the SPLC works toward equal justice and equal opportunity. The center is internationally known for its tolerance education program, its legal victories against white supremacist groups, its tracking of hate groups and its sponsorship of the Civil Rights Memorial.
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