The Assembly Select Committee on Racism, Hate, and Xenophobia convened on June 25, 2025, to address the pressing issue of hate crimes in California and the impact of public messaging on societal attitudes. The meeting featured a series of discussions highlighting the correlation between political rhetoric and spikes in hate crimes.

The session opened with a reference to a statement made by former President George W. Bush shortly after the September 11 attacks, where he condemned attacks on Muslim women and emphasized the contributions of the Muslim American community. This statement reportedly led to a significant decrease in hate crimes, illustrating the potential positive impact of responsible public messaging.

Conversely, the committee examined instances where inflammatory rhetoric has led to increased hate crimes. Notably, the day after the 2016 presidential election was marked as the worst day for hate crimes in over a decade, coinciding with divisive political statements. The discussion also referenced the George Floyd protests in 2020, where specific remarks contributed to a surge in hate crimes against African Americans.

Further evidence was presented from Ohio, where a vice presidential candidate's false claims about immigrants led to a dramatic rise in anti-Black and ethnic hate crimes. The Los Angeles Police Department reported a spike in anti-Latino and anti-immigrant hate crimes in 2025, reinforcing the connection between sociopolitical messaging and real-world violence.

The committee emphasized the importance of consistent condemnation of hate by public officials and the need for data-driven approaches to address these issues. Specific statistics were shared, revealing that in the previous year, there were 578 reported anti-Black hate crimes and 255 anti-Hispanic hate crimes in California. The committee underscored that even one hate crime is too many, highlighting the urgency of their work.

In conclusion, the meeting underscored the critical role of public messaging in shaping societal attitudes towards race and xenophobia. The committee plans to continue its efforts in gathering data and formulating recommendations to combat hate crimes effectively.