The Assembly Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia convened on June 25, 2025, to discuss the alarming trends in hate crimes across California, with a particular focus on the experiences of Black Californians. The meeting highlighted that, according to the latest data from 2024, Black individuals continue to be the most targeted group for hate crimes in the state, a trend that has persisted since the Department of Justice began tracking these incidents in 1995.

Despite a reported decrease in hate crime events against Black Californians last year, they still represent the highest number of hate crimes overall. The committee noted that Latino Californians follow as the second most affected group, while anti-Jewish incidents topped the list for religiously motivated hate crimes, showing a 7.3% increase from the previous year.

The discussion also addressed the significant rise in hate crimes against the transgender community, which has been linked to negative political rhetoric and advertising. The committee pointed out that over $20 million was spent on political campaigns targeting the transgender population, correlating with a rise in hate crimes against this group.

The meeting underscored the broader implications of these trends, noting that anti-Black hate crimes have historically been the most prevalent, but recent years have seen a concerning rise in anti-Jewish and anti-Muslim hate crimes as well. The committee emphasized the need for continued monitoring and action to address these issues, as California recorded over 2,000 hate crime events in the past year.

In conclusion, the committee's findings reflect a troubling landscape of hate crimes in California, necessitating urgent attention and action from lawmakers and community leaders to combat racism, hate, and xenophobia in all forms.