The California Assembly Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia convened on June 25, 2025, to address critical issues surrounding hate crimes and community safety. The meeting featured key insights from the California Department of Justice, emphasizing the state's ongoing commitment to combat racism and xenophobia.

Damon Brown, a special assistant attorney general, highlighted the Department's efforts to eradicate hate across California. He noted that various communities, including Black, Asian, Latino, Native American, LGBTQ+, Jewish, Muslim, and Sikh individuals, have long faced the damaging impacts of bias and hate. The Department of Justice has been proactive in addressing these issues since Attorney General Rob Bonta took office in 2021.

One significant initiative mentioned was the establishment of the Bridal Justice Bureau, which aims to enhance the Department's focus on racial and social justice. This bureau is dedicated to tackling the harmful effects of white supremacy and hate organizations while fostering collaboration with law enforcement and community groups on hate crime prevention.

Brown also discussed the updated resources released earlier this year in response to a potential rise in violence against immigrants, linked to xenophobic rhetoric. These resources include guidance for law enforcement and prosecutors, a rapid response protocol for hate crimes, and multilingual fact sheets to inform Californians of their rights under hate crime laws.

The Department has been collecting statewide data on hate crimes since 1995, which is accessible through the open justice portal. During the meeting, the office released its 2024 Hate Crime in California report, providing crucial insights into the current state of hate crimes in the community.

As the committee continues its work, the discussions from this meeting underscore the importance of community safety and the collective responsibility to address and prevent hate in all its forms. The ongoing efforts by the California Department of Justice reflect a commitment to fostering a more inclusive and safe environment for all residents.