In the state of California, hate crimes are steadily on the rise.

According to a report conducted by the state’s Department of Justice, California saw a drastic 20 % increase in hate crimes which amounted to 2,120 in 2022. In 2021, the number was 1,763.

Per the report, Black Americans remain the greatest target of hate crimes with an increase of 27.1 percent from 513 in 2021 to 652 in 2022. Reported hate crimes based on one’s sexual orientation rose 29 percent to 391 in 2022. Increases in hate crimes against Hispanic Asian, Jewish and transgender people were also reported.

In light of the report, California Attorney General Rob Bonta urged the state to band together and eradicate hate crimes against all citizens of California.

“This report is a stark reminder that there is still much work to be done to combat hate in our state. I urge local partners and law enforcement to review these findings and recommit to taking action,” Bonta said in a statement. "Our office continues to work with law enforcement, elected leaders, and community organizations across the state to increase awareness and bolster responses to hate crimes.

“An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. The alarming increases in crimes committed against Black, LGBTQ+, and Jewish people for the second year in a row illustrates the need for our communities to join together unified against hate,” he continued. “It takes all of us working together to combat extremism and foster a safe and inclusive environment for all Californians. Now, more than ever, it is critical that we stand united — there is no place for hate in California.”

Bonta also said that because of the sensitive nature of the incidents, there may be many victims of hate crimes that have not been accounted for in the state’s report.

“[Hate] seems to be so many places, so pervasive, from national political leaders to sometimes our own neighbors,” Bonta added. “Racist, xenophobic, homophobic, destructive language is being brandished about all too freely to alienate, discriminate and inflict lasting physical and emotional harm… The hate crime data report shows us statistically what we already know, that we who work in our communities know to be true from our lived experience, that hate crimes are up.”

Hate crimes in California are a microcosm of what’s likely to be seen across the country as the 2024 election cycle nears. According to a study by the Leadership Conference Education Fund, the  national civil rights group reported that hate crimes have been rising since the 2008 election when Barack Obama became the nation’s first Black president and have risen by more than 80% since 2015 marked by Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. Additionally, the study revealed that 2021 had the highest number of hate crimes that were reported since 1991 when the FBI began publishing the data.

"What it shows is an extremely disturbing and sadly not so surprising trend," Maya Wiley, CEO OF THE Leadership Conference Education Fund said at the time.

To combat hate crimes in California, Bonta issued an updated Law Enforcement Bulletin “to all district attorneys, chiefs of police, sheriffs, and state law enforcement agencies” with the most up-to-date information on the state’s various criminal laws “that prohibit hate crimes or provide enhanced penalties for specified hate-related acts,”

The bulletin will also guide law enforcement officials on how to investigate and prosecute hate crimes.