Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, California has experienced a troubling surge in racism and discrimination. While Stop the Hate initially focused on protecting AAPI communities, it has grown into a comprehensive effort to confront the systemic biases and deep-seated hate that drive inequality across all communities of color. The program stands with BIPOC, 2S/LGBTQ+, Muslim, Jewish, differently abled individuals, and others who have been historically targeted by hate. Stop the Hate acknowledges and responds to the unique and intersecting challenges these communities face, shaped by both historic and ongoing hate.
Stop the Hate works statewide in partnership with community-based partner organizations to address the root causes of injustice. At the heart of systemic inequalities lies hatred—hatred for differences and fear of what is perceived as ‘other.’ We cannot discuss inequality without recognizing the role hate has played, both historically and today, in the United States and California. Through compassion, understanding, and unity, Stop the Hate is helping to build communities where equality and love are the foundation
Stop the Hate Partner Convening
We recently convened in Merced, CA with our 35 funded partners from across the state. We left our time in Merced together feeling more inspired and ready to support our communities. It was a special day made even brighter by the declaration of Merced Hmong American Day by the Merced City Council Board of Supervisors. Congratulations again to the Hlub Hmong Center for pioneering the way and inviting us to honor this incredible marking alongside our Stop the Hate partner convening. Our next convening takes place in late October 2024.
Partner Organizations
The Center’s Stop the Hate program directs grants to qualified organizations to provide support and services to hate crime victims and survivors and their families. Importantly, the grants also equip organizations to facilitate hate incident and hate crime prevention measures. The California Department of Social Services and The Center have selected a total of 35 organizations to partner in this work through 2026. These organizations are the heart of Stop the Hate, working with their respective communities in culturally relevant and meaningful ways.
- AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund (Statewide)
- Asian American Liberation Network (Sacramento/Northern California)
- ACC Senior Services (Sacramento)
- Black Youth Leadership Project (Sacramento/Northern California)
- CA-HI State Conference NAACP (Statewide)
- California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation (Sacramento/Northern California
- California Rural Legal Assistance, Inc. (Statewide)
- Chico Area Interfaith Council (Chico)
- Community Interventions (Bakersfield)
- Community Matters (Statewide)
- Dolores C. Huerta Foundation (Bakersfield)
- East Bay Sanctuary Convenant (Berkeley)
- Education and Leadership Foundation (Fresno)
- Empowering Marginalized Asian Communities (Stockton)
- Equality California Institute (Statewide)
- Escape Velocity Resources Foundation, Inc. (Sacramento/Northern California)
- Fresno Interdenominational Refugee Ministries (Fresno)
- Healing Together (Oakland/Statewide)
- Hlub Hmong Center (Merced)
- Hmong Innovating Politics (Sacramento)
- Hmong Youth and Parents United (Sacramento)
- Jakara Movement (Fresno)
- Lao Family Community Development, Inc. (Sacramento/Northern California)
- Little Manila Rising (Stockton)
- Merced Lao Family Community, Inc. (Merced)
- My Sister’s House (Sacramento)
- Oasis Legal Services (Berkeley)
- Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center (San Mateo)
- Queer Humboldt (Sacramento/Northern California)
- Stone Soup Fresno (Fresno)
- The Fresno Center (Fresno)
- Not in Our Town (Oakland/Statewide)
- The Regents of the University of California, Los Angeles Labor Center (Los Angeles)
- The Sacramento API Regional Network (Sacramento)
- University Enterprises, Inc. dba Sacramento State Sponsored Research (Sacramento)
- Uplift the Human Spirit (Stockton)
- Vigilant Love (Statewide)
Actions You Can Take
- Speak out against hate and intolerance.
- Report AAPI and other hate crimes and incidents to Stop AAPI Hate.
- Offer support to victims and organizations assisting victims.
- Have community rallies to give victims a platform and voice.
- Ask public officials to speak out against hate crimes.
- Establish a local hate crime network that includes law enforcement, local government, schools, religious organizations and community organizations. Ask them to respond to hate crimes immediately when they happen and to promote prevention and awareness.
What We Are Doing
In March 2022, the California Department of Social Services chose The Center to serve as a regional lead for the Stop the Hate program. In this role, The Center directs grants to qualified organizations to provide support and services to hate crime victims and survivors and their families. The grants also equip organizations to facilitate hate incident and hate crime prevention measures.
In the News
Northern California organization supports, accompanies senior citizens (ABC10)
Feb. 17, 2023
Our Safety and Wellness are Inextricably Linked
Sierra Health Foundation and The Center statement on ending violence
Jan. 24, 2023
Newsom signs bill targeting harassment and hate in public spaces (Axios.com)
Sept. 13, 2022
Two anti-Asian hate bills pass unanimously in California (AsAmNews.com)
August 31, 2022
Stopping hate crime in the API community (Fox40.com)
May 19, 2022
Stop AAPI Hate
Stop AAPI Hate released a report, Two Years and Thousands of Voices, which provides insight into the racism and discrimination the AAPI community has faced since the start of the pandemic.
- 11,500 hate incidents were reported between March 19, 2020, and March 31, 2022.
- Harrassment is a major problem. Approximately 67 percent of incidents involved harassment, such as verbal or written hate speech or inappropriate gestures.
- AAPI individuals who are also female, non-binary, LGBTQIA+ and/or elderly experienced hate incidents that targeted them for more than one of their identities at once.