The Los Angeles Post

ACT Against Hate Alliance Earns Additional Support

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Walnut City Council Votes to Support Efforts to Reduce Hate Crimes

WALNUT, CA (June 15, 2023) – Leaders with the ACT Against Hate Alliance (AAHA) are getting the additional support of political leaders in the Los Angeles County community of Walnut. The Walnut City Council has voted unanimously to support AAHA efforts to raise awareness about a rising number of hate crimes in California, and find solutions to stop or reduce them.

The AAHA formed last year in response to criminal justice statistics that showed an alarming rise in hate crime attacks in all areas of California. These types of crimes are at their highest level in two decades.

“By taking this action tonight you will be driving a stake into the ground and saying hate has no place in Walnut,” former CA State Senate Minority Leader Bob Huff announced during his presentation to Walnut City Councilmembers. “Hate leads to hate crime. Unless we all act against it on a personal level, we will never solve this problem.”

Walnut City Council Members voted unanimously in their own resolution to support the message and intent of Senate Concurrent Resolution (SCR) 15. The measure, authored by CA Senator Josh Newman (D-Fullerton) and passed with no opposition by the State Legislature, establishes January 28th of this year and every year thereafter as “Stand Against Hate Action Day.”

Walnut resident and CSU-Fullerton student Nicholas Hernandez presented the resolution and spoke in support of the AAHA effort during the City Council meeting. Hernandez, a student associate of AAHA, is part of a growing student movement to raise awareness about the growth in hate crimes and the impact of these crimes on local communities. The AAHA student effort is building chapters that serve universities and high schools in Northern and Southern California.

“Local government is a layer of government that is closest to the people,” Hernandez said during the Walnut City Council meeting. “Local awareness starts at the local level, which is why this effort by the city council is so very impactful and important.”