While the Trump administration cuts programs to fight hate crimes, California is taking action every day

SACRAMENTO – Today, Governor Gavin Newsom highlights California’s nation-leading efforts to combat hate and applauds the work of communities across the state that are joining together all week long to take a stand for safety and belonging in their cities and neighborhoods.

As hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding are being cut to public safety and anti-hate programs, and as reported hate crimes remain near record highs across the country, California remains steadfast in its commitment to protect its communities.

“We know hate isn’t limited to just one week or just one community,” said California Business, Consumer Services and Housing Secretary Tomiquia Moss. “Hate harms us all. That’s why our state and our Governor are deeply committed to fighting back. Here in California, we’re standing up for the rich tapestry of all our cultures and people.”

“With hate crimes at near record levels, we’re fortunate to have a Governor who is taking concrete action to help protect our communities,” said California Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish. “While the federal government is ripping support away, our state is heeding the call. We’re honored to work with partners all across the nation who are united against hate.”

Trump abandons crime victims and local communities 

From canceling hundreds of millions in grants for gun-violence and hate prevention to ending a key federal community peacemakers office, the Trump Administration’s actions directly threaten public safety. The federal Community Relations Service, also known as America’s Peacemaker, which has been a significant tool to help local communities nationwide address and limit the potential for violent conflict, is reportedly being dissolved after decades of success.

Rather than supporting proven programs, the Trump Administration is defunding public safety and continues to waste time and resources on erasing evidence of far-right extremism online, helping an out-of-touch actor cosplay as an immigration agent, and losing in court over attempts to use federal troops as a personal police force. 

Leading the Fight Against Hate 

Governor Newsom is taking comprehensive action to combat the rise in reported hate crimes, including launching California’s first-ever statewide hotline to report acts of hate and continuing to provide resources to protect nonprofits and places of worship. 

• Bills, Bills, Bills: From cracking down on hate littering to taking steps to prevent gun-related hate crimes, California is all in when it comes to strengthening state laws aimed at protecting people from hate and discrimination. For instance, earlier this month, Governor Newsom signed legislation to help ensure any threats made against schools, workplaces, houses of worship, and medical facilities can be prosecuted. This builds on past efforts such as legislation to ensure law enforcement in California adopt hate crimes policies and strengthen penalties for the use of hate symbols. 

• California vs Hate: In 2023, Governor Newsom launched  CA vs Hate, California’s first-ever multilingual statewide hotline and resource network that provides a safe, anonymous reporting option for victims and witnesses of hate. Last year, the hotline received nearly 1,200 reports of hate across roughly 50 different counties and connected people to support. This work remains critical, as a recent survey identified ongoing underreporting of hate crimes and incidents, with roughly 3.1 million Californians experiencing hate in 2024. Anyone can call and get support through CA vs Hate at 833-8-NO-HATE or by going to CAvsHate.org. 

• Bringing together experts: While the Trump Administration fires the experts, California is proud to help bring them together to tackle a wide range of challenges, including in the fight against hate. Whether it is through the work of the Commission on the State of Hate to provide policy recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature or ongoing efforts to curb the risk of violent extremism through the Council on Holocaust and Genocide Education, California isn’t afraid of science, data, and the facts. 

• Supporting all Californians: With nearly $100 million in grants directly to community organizations providing services to victims and survivors of hate incidents and hate crimes and their families to over $225 million in state funding to support physical security measures for roughly 1,200 faith communities and nonprofits, California is taking important steps to protect communities against hate-motivated violence and to ensure people have a place to go in the aftermath of hate. 

Extremists and extremist groups

There are over 100 active hate-motivated extremist groups in California, according to state law enforcement experts, compared to nearly 1,400 hate-motivated extremist groups nationwide.

According to a report from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security, White supremacist and anti-government violent extremists are considered a top domestic terror threat. Unfortunately, in an attempt to suppress this vital information from the public, the Trump Administration removed this report from the federal government’s website. For reference, it can be viewed here.

United Against Hate Week 

Taking place this year from October 19 to 25, United Against Hate Week empowers people to take action in their communities across the country with a clear message of rejecting hate of any kind and that building a safer and more equitable society starts by working together. The week of action demonstrates that, when we are united against hate, we can embrace diversity and build inclusive communities that welcome and respect all. 

To learn how you can get involved and see the lists of events taking place across the country, visit the 2025 UAHW Calendar.