By Akemi Tamanaha, Associate Editor
A new California law is calling on local law enforcement agencies to do a better job addressing hate crimes.
AB 449, which was recently signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, requires local law enforcement agencies to create policies to identify, report and respond to hate crimes. Law enforcement personnel must know and implement the policies by July 1, 2024.
On Thursday, October 19, California Assemblymember Phil Ting (D-19), who sponsored the bill, celebrated the signing of AB 449 in San Francisco’s Chinatown. He was joined by Charles Jung, Executive Director of the California Asian Pacific American Bar Association; Greg deGiere, a civil rights advocate with The Arc of California; and several other members of the Anti-Hate Coalition.
“I thank Governor Newsom for signing this bill, and all the stakeholders who have supported these efforts for years. We can now ensure there is consistent enforcement of hate crime laws and accurate data collection will help us come up with solutions,” Ting said.
Ting noted that while hate crimes against Asian Americans are reportedly down, it is still necessary to remain vigilant in the fight against hate.
Jung acknowledged the violence many Asian Americans faced during the height of the pandemic.
“That violence continues to this day for many racial and religious minorities. This bill is one step in our demand for equality and civil rights,” he said.
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