WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the dangerous rise in bias incidents and hate violence, the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee) and Not In Our Town (NIOT) joined together to launch online guides for local communities to stand against hate and take positive, ongoing action to reinforce core values of inclusion, respect and safety for all. Informed by 20 years of hate crime prevention work and community engagement and decades of work for equal justice, NIOT and LCCRUL produced four STOP HATE ACTION KITS to provide practical resources and advice for: communities; college campuses; K-12 schools; and law enforcement.
The Stop Hate Action Kits are designed to help community and civic leaders, and law enforcement accurately report and consistently respond to hate crimes, bias, and bullying incidents; demonstrate support for victims and all members of the community; and create welcoming, inclusive environments.
Director of the Stop Hate Project at the Lawyers’ Committee, Becky Monroe said: “Communities across the country have been confronted by a devastating surge in hate crimes. We are pleased to partner with Not In Our Town to launch four action kits to aid in the important work local communities are doing to combat hate.”
Executive Producer of Not In Our Town, Patrice O’Neill added: “The fear and insecurity caused by hate crimes is creating incalculable harm to targeted individuals, and these attacks can also have a devastating effect on entire communities, driving decisions about where to live and work, or how often to participate in the community. We can do something to stop the spread of hate, and our local communities are where we can immediately make a change that can be felt in people’s lives.
According to a study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism, between 2016 and 2017, the ten largest cities in the United States experienced a significant spike in hate crimes. California alone experienced a 44% rise in reported hate crimes during the same period.
To access the Stop Hate Action Kits, visit www.niot.org/stop-hate-action-kits.
The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law seeks to secure equal justice for all through the rule of law, targeting, in particular, the inequities confronting African Americans and other racial and ethnic minorities. The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law launched the Stop Hate Project to strengthen the capacity of community leaders, law enforcement, and organizations around the country to combat hate by connecting these groups with established legal and social services resources and creating new resources in response to identified needs. Visit www.8449nohate.org or www.lawyerscommittee.org to learn more.
Not in Our Town (NIOT) is a movement to stop hate, address bullying, and build safe, inclusive communities for all. Not In Our Town films, new media, and organizing tools help local leaders build vibrant, diverse cities and towns, where everyone can participate. Find resources for communities, schools and law enforcement on NIOT.org. NIOT is the facilitating organization for United Against Hate Week (November 11 – 18, 2018), a call for communities to take action to resist the growing intolerance threatening our neighborhoods, towns and cities. Visit www.unitedagainsthateweek.org for action ideas and resources.
Contact
Derrick Robinson, Lawyers’ Committee, DRobinson@LawyersCommittee.org, 202-662-8317
