Assistant U. S. Attorneys Cindy Cipriani (619-546-9608) and Alicia Williams (619-546-8917) and Law Enforcement/Outreach Coordinator Shastity Urias (619-546-9399)
NEWS RELEASE SUMMARY – November 14, 2022
SAN DIEGO – Beginning today, U.S. Attorney Randy Grossman, along with community and law enforcement leaders, will participate in a statewide United Against Hate (UAH) Week campaign.
The week of Nov. 14-21 is a call for local civic action to stop the hate and biases that pose a dangerous threat to the safety and civility of our neighborhoods, towns and cities. The UAH campaign, which emerged from a poster campaign by Bay Area Cities, has spread to more than 200 communities. San Diego will participate for the first time this year.
Inspired by successful campaigns in prior years throughout California, the U.S. Attorney’s office, through its leadership role chairing the San Diego Regional Anti-Hate Crime Coalition, has collaborated with multiple partners to launch a week of positive messages and diverse events designed to empower local residents and communities to stand against racism and alter the course of growing intolerance.
“When law enforcement, community leaders and residents work together against hate, we can restore respect, embrace the strength of diversity and build inclusive and equitable communities for all,” Grossman said.
Dozens of organizations, civic/law enforcement leaders and agencies have signed on as supporters. Scheduled events include a social media/Twitter storm on November 15th; several free National Conflict Resolution Center webinars on “The Art of Inclusive Communication” and the “Bystander Challenge;” training by the District Attorney’s Office on hate crimes and victim resources for vulnerable communities; an Antisemitism and Bias Seminar offered by Anti-Defamation League; and a ceremony honoring the winners of a school-based essay/poster contest, sponsored by the U.S. Attorney’s office and the Earl B. Gilliam Bar Association Foundation. In addition, the County of San Diego and City of San Diego are expected to pass proclamations declaring this week “United Against Hate Week” in San Diego.
The full calendar of events can be accessed at: https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/united-against-hate.
“Hate Crimes are the highest priority of the FBI’s Civil Rights program due to the devastating impact they have on families and communities” said Stacey Moy, FBI Special Agent in Charge of the San Diego Field Office. “We will always work with our law enforcement and private sector partners to educate our communities about these violations while continuing to investigate and prevent violent incidents motivated by hate or bias. We also urge the public to report any suspected hate crimes to the FBI and local law enforcement.”
“I stand united against hate alongside the dedicated team at the DA’s office, our diverse communities and law enforcement,” said San Diego County District Attorney Summer Stephan. “Hate-fueled crimes that target people based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or disability harms the victim and also spreads fear throughout the community. We will not tolerate this, which is why prosecuting hate crimes is a priority for the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. In combatting hate crimes, we nearly tripled the number of hate crime cases we have prosecuted in recent years, we protected victims harmed by hate and we increased access to reporting hate incidents online.”
“The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department does not tolerate any acts of hate in our communities,” said Sheriff Anthony Ray. “We are proud to join the U.S. Attorney’s Office, as well as our law enforcement and community partners, in promoting a message of unity and inclusion.”
Members of the public are encouraged to report hate incidents and hate crimes to the Federal Bureau of Investigation at 1-800-CALL-FBI or online at https://tips.fbi.gov/. Please call 911 if you need emergency assistance.