Last year, the number of reported hate crimes in the United States rose to the highest level in 12 years, CNN reports.
On Monday, the FBI released a report on hate crime statistics for 2020. According to the data, law enforcement agencies reported 7,759 criminal hate incidents to the FBI. An increase of about 450 incidents from 2019.
The report also found that the number of hate crimes against Asian and Black people rose sharply in 2020, CNBC reports.
Hate crimes targeting people of Asian descent rose 70 percent from 2019. Hate crimes targeting Black people rose 40 percent. However, the number of reported hate incidents targeting Asian people in 2020 was 274, compared to 2,755 reported hate incidents targeting Black people.
“These hate crimes and other bias-related incidents instill fear across entire communities and undermine the principles upon which our democracy stands,” United States Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said in a statement. “All people in this country should be able to live without fear of being attacked or harassed because of where they are from, what they look like, whom they love or how they worship.”
The Justice Department has reiterated its commitment to preventing hate incidents.
“Preventing and responding to hate crimes and hate incidents is one of the Justice Department’s highest priorities,” Garland said in a statement. “The FBI Hate Crime Statistics for 2020 demonstrates the urgent need for a comprehensive response.”
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