AG Rob Bonta: Hate crimes against AAPI rose 107% in California

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California's Attorney General Rob Bonta released a special report on hate crimes against AAPI.

California's Attorney General, a Filipino American, confessed that he fears for the safety of his mother when she goes out by herself.

Hate crimes against Asian Americans rose 107% according to a special report from his  office, said Attorney General Rob Bonta at a Wednesday press conference held in Oakland's Chinatown, where a number of attacks against AAPI elderly have occurred.

“For too many, 2020 wasn’t just about a deadly virus, it was about an epidemic of hate,” said Bonta in a prepared statement. “The facts here are clear: There was a surge in anti-Asian violence correlated with the words of leaders who sought to divide us when we were at our most vulnerable. But one of our most powerful weapons against hate is knowledge. When we’re armed with the facts, we put ourselves in a position to be our own best advocates; we put ourselves in a position to be able to fight for what is right.”

The special report on anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic provides a broad overview of the historical context for anti-Asian sentiment in California and a direct analysis of some of the key data captured in the most recent statewide report on hate crime. A copy of the full report is available here.

For instance, anti-Asian hate crime events increased by 107% from 43 in 2019 to 89 in 2020. The highest number of events were reported in March and April, during the height of pandemic-fueled, trumped-up rhetoric. This rhetoric was perpetuated at the highest levels of public office and built on a long history of harmful Asian stereotypes in the United States, cited the report

In fact, as early as the Gold Rush, Chinese residents, for example, were blamed for high unemployment, spreading disease, and “invading” the United States. 

Overall, hate crime in California surged 31% in 2020, fueled mainly by a big jump in crimes targeting Black people during a year that saw the worst racial strife in decades, according to an annual report released Wednesday.

Throughout the state, hate crimes increased from 1,015 to 1,330 last year, while the number of victims increased 23%, from 1,247 to 1,536. Black people account for 6.5% of the state’s population of nearly 40 million people but were victims in 30% of all hate crimes — 456 overall, up 87% from the previous year.

“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. It’s multi-faceted, and it cannot be solved overnight.” Attorney General Rob Bonta said. 

Violent crime incidents driven by anti-Asian hate increased from 32 in 2019 to 72 in 2020, according to a companion report that aims to put that violence into modern and historical context dating to Gold Rush days of the mid-19th century and a history of harmful Asian stereotypes in the United States.

The number of hate incidents appear lower than the reports collected by the community-based organization Stop AAPI Hate. The over 6,000 reports gathered by Stop AAPI Hate include harassment, verbal attacks as well as physical assaults that may not meet the legal criteria to be classified as a hate crime.  Some of the incidents would be difficult to prove racial animus as a motive.

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, over 6 million Asian Americans -- or, 15.5% of the state's population -- reside in California, the largest Asian American community in the U.S.

California defines hate crimes as those targeting victims because of their race or ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or a disability. The 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.

Bonta also unveiled new guidance, reports, and resources to help the public and law enforcement better understand and address hate crimes in California. 

At 1,330 bias events in 2020, overall hate crimes in the state are at their highest reported level in more than a decade. This significant increase in hate crime activity — impacting a wide range of Californians — was particularly pronounced for Asian Americans during periods in which harmful rhetoric from public figures sought to connect the Asian community with COVID-19. 

Despite these reported increases, the California Department of Justice recognizes that hate crimes in the state are generally underreported and that the data presented may not adequately reflect the actual number of hate crimes that occurred in the state. 

Recognizing the need for action at every level of government and society, Bonta is urging law enforcement and members of the public to take advantage of the wide array of information and resources being provided today so that all Californians can be part of the fight to tackle hate at its roots.

“We must stand against hate. My administration is taking aggressive, targeted action to support targeted Californians and prevent hate crimes, proposing an investment of $100 million to support survivors and another $200 million in community-based responses to violence,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “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. We will work to promote diversity and inclusion, and ensure the safety of all Californians.”

"One of our most powerful weapons against hate is knowledge," Bonta said. "Ultimately, it's going to take building bridges to make that difference, to ensure every community in the state feels welcome."

As part of Wednesday’s expansive effort to increase access to information and resources around hate crime in California, Attorney General Bonta is issuing: 

• The special report documenting an alarming 107% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in 2020; 
• the full 2020 hate crimes report; 
• a new information bulletin to law enforcement agencies across the state that provides a critical overview on laws and penalties related to hate crimes; 
• new guidance for prosecutors on best practices and resources for combating hate crimes at every level of enforcement;
• updated brochures in 25 languages to help victims and members of the public directly secure assistance; and
• new and updated dashboards on the OpenJustice data portal exploring hate crimes in general and by bias motivation.

The 2020 hate crimes report presents statistics on hate crime events, hate crime offenses, victims of hate crimes, and suspects of hate crimes. The report also provides statistics reported by district and elected city attorneys on the number of hate crime cases referred to prosecutors, the number of cases filed in court, and the disposition of those cases. The report does not include data on hate crime incidents. 

Some of the other key findings in the latest report include:

• Overall, hate crime events increased 31% from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,330 in 2020;
• Anti-Black bias events were the most prevalent, increasing 87% from 243 in 2019 to 456 in 2020;
• Anti-white bias events also increased from 39 in 2019 to 82 in 2020;
• Hate crime events motivated by religion decreased 13.5%, with anti-Jewish events falling 18.4% from 141 in 2019 to 115 in 2020;
• Hate crime events involving sexual orientation also fell 12% from 233 in 2019 to 205 in 2020; and
• Of the 108 cases filed for prosecution with a disposition available for this report, 42.6% were hate crime convictions, 45.4% were other convictions, and 12% did not result in any conviction.

Law Enforcement Bulletin and Prosecutor Guidance

The new law enforcement bulletin and guidance for prosecutors both work to ensure state and local law enforcement officials across California have the necessary information and tools to continue to respond appropriately and swiftly to hate crime activity in the state. Together, the guidance and bulletin work to, among other things, help law enforcement:

• Properly identify and investigate hate crimes;
• Ensure fair and uniform application of hate crime laws;
• Increase the success of prosecutions by ensuring more immediate and consistent contact with victims and affected communities; and
• Identify alternative forms of sentencing or restorative justice approaches to hate crime prosecutions.

Crimes motivated by hate are not just attacks on individual people — they are attacks on our communities and the entire state, the report states. 

A copy of the hate crimes report is available here.

A copy of the law enforcement bulletin is available here. 

A copy of the guidance for prosecutors is available here.

Members of the public can further explore the most recent hate crime data on OpenJustice here. The portal also contains an updated general dashboard on hate crimes and a brand-new dashboard organized by bias motivation type.

When Bonta was appointed to the Attorney General's post by Gov. Newsom earlier this year, he vowed to make hate crimes a priority of his office.

"Ultimately, it’s going to take building bridges to help make a difference," said Bonta. "It’s going to take harnessing the resources at our disposal to ensure every community across the state feels safe and welcome. 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.”

California State Legislature approves Rob Bonta for Attorney General

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Rob Bonta, left, received a standing ovation from California's State Assembly.

Both houses of the California Legislature approved on Thursday the state's first Filipino American Attorney General.

Rob Bonta won the unanimous support of his fellow members of the Assembly, 62-0. The California Senate voted for Bonta 29-6, with Republicans casting nay votes. 

“To fight for everyday folks, the vulnerable, the voiceless, the disadvantaged, those who need a champion, those who are hurting, being abused, and to push back and fight back against those in power who are overreaching that power or abusing that power,” Bonta said after the Legislature's votes. “That’s the job.”

Bonta's approval sets up the potential for another history-making photo opportunity. If Bonta chooses the state's Supreme Court Chief Justice to swear him in, Filipino American Justice Tani Cantil Sakauye would swear in the the state's first Fililpino American Attorney General.

Bonta takes over the state's top law enforcement office after Xavier Becerra left the post to become the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. Bonta is the second Asian American to hold the position. Vice President Kamala Harris ran the office before Becerra before she became a U.S. Senator.

The Bay Area progressive attorney takes the AG office while the nation undergoes a racial reckoning and the role of police. 

“We need to rebuild trust between law enforcement and communities. And I believe that law enforcement are invaluable parts of our communities and that the vast majority want to build and earn that trust. Accountability is part of that trust,” Bonta, a Democrat, testified before the Senate Rules Committee.

The popular progressive lawmaker's sponsoring of several pieces of legislation gives a strong indication of his position on law enforcement.

He co-authored legislation last year requiring state prosecutors to investigate officer-involved shootings that result in the death of an unarmed person. Forming a division to handle an estimated 40 shooting investigations a year, he said, would be one of his most important initial priorities.

“The attorney general’s office has not in the past generally investigated large numbers of officer involved shootings,” Bonta told CalMatters. “Those who are grieving the loss of life of family members who died during interactions with law enforcement, anyone who’s being investigated, the Legislature in California, all deserve that we get it right, that it be thorough and accurate and comprehensive and reliable and full of integrity, so that when an investigation is complete, the results are trusted.”

Bonta also is co-author of pending Senate Bill 2, which would allow the state to decertify officers— effectively kicking them out of law enforcement—for misconduct. 

Bonta's parents were union organizers for the United Farm Workers and those values have had an impact on the future Attorney General. One of the first pieces of legislation that he authored was having the state officially recognize the birthday of UFW legend Larry Itliong. He also co-authored a bill mandating the inclusion of ethnic studies in California's high schools.

Not only will Bonta take the reins as the state's top cop, he'll have to begin campaigning immediately in order to retain the office in 2022.

“An injustice against one is an injustice against all,” he said during his confirmation hearings. “It’s why I decided to become an attorney, to fight for those who have been wronged, who are scared, who are hurt, who are mistreated and needed someone to fight for them. And it’s that fight for justice for all Californians that motivates me today."

California's attorney general nominee will target hate attacks against AAPI

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Assemblymember Rob Bonta speaks at the Manilatown Center in San Francisco's old Manilatown.

Gov. Gavin Newsom's pick for the California's vacated Attorney General spot is ready to hit the ground running once he's confirmed by the legislature. Among Assemblymember Rob Bonta's first tasks is to confront the year-long wave of attacks and confrontations against Asian Americans.

"We’re reeling," Bonta said Friday after Gov. Gavin Newsom introduced Bonta as his pick for AG. "People are hurting, scared, anxious, angry and it’s a full-on state of emergency, state of crisis and important."

"The Asian American community, and I know this from lived experience, from personal experience, as a member of the API community, is in a state of crisis right now, it’s a full-on state of emergency," Bonta said, noting how the types of crimes targeting Asian Americans have escalated from spitting and vulgarities to murder.

"It is really important for the people’s attorney, the chief law officer of the state of California, to see and value our API community, and to care, and also to take action," Bonta continued.

As Attorney General, he'll have the full support of Gov. Newsom, who said Friday that the surge of anti-Asian violence "infuriates" him since he grew up in San Francisco with many Asian American friends.

“What the hell is wrong with us?” Newsom asked.

Newsom noted in his emotional statement that although California is known for the diversity of its people, the states also has a long history of xenophobia-driven actions against Asians.

“We have to be vigilant, this is something that’s been with us for 150 years in this state and the country,” Newsom said.

Newsom's instant history lesson recalled the California Legislature's bias against Chinese immigrants in the 1800s, passed several measures aimed at Chinese people, including requiring special licenses, labor rules and preventing naturalization. In 1882, the federal Chinese Exclusion Act was signed into law.

Laws against Asians were driven by powerful Californians including Denis Kearney, a political leader and opponent of Chinese immigration, was active in San Francisco. Ironically Kearney Street, was the main street of the former Manilatown and the street where the historic International Hotel was located.

According to #StopAAPIHate, in the year the pandemic has gripped the nation, that is March 2020 to March 2021, over 3800 incidents of hate has been directed against the AAPI communities, from vandalism, verbal assaults to physical attacks.

In the first two months of 2021 alone, #StopAAPIHate reports it has already gathered 500 reports of hate incidents. If this rate continues, 2021 will outdo 2020's record number of hate-driven attacks.

Some of the actions Bonta hopes to undertake when he assumes his new is to ensure that an anti-hate hotline is up-and-running and that the criminal justice system provide more training for law enforcement and work with victims and communities to better understand and address hate.

A peek at Bonta's legislative efforts could give us a better idea of Bonta's aims. In the month prior to his nomination as Attorney General, Bonta introduced AB 886 which would provide support for victims and avenues of restorative justice.

“The recent rise in racist and xenophobic attacks on members of the API community and the larger increase in hate crimes must be addressed with decisive action,” said Bonta. “The embers of hate have always been present, but they have recently been fanned into a fire of violence by no less than the previous occupant of the White House.”

AB 886 will fund community-based organizations that provide culturally competent mental health services for victims of hate violence and restorative justice programs. AB 886 would also expand the eligibility for victims of hate violence to access victim compensation funds and not be denied solely because the victim did not file a police report.

“All communities deserve to be seen, valued, and protected,” said Bonta. “AB 886 would assure that consultation with the victim becomes a primary focus along with community healing. AB 886 would address prevention by providing additional restorative justice tools to proactively increase the likelihood that an individual who caused the harm would not do additional harm.”