Anti-Asian hate crimes in state jumped 177% in 2021
LOS ANGELES — The number of hate crimes in California rose for the third year in a row in 2021 and included a sizable uptick in the number of anti-Asian crimes, according to a report from the state attorney general.
The California Department of Justice released its annual report on hate crimes on Tuesday morning, noting 1,763 reported hate crimes, up 33% from the year prior.
Hate crimes against Asian Americans saw another year of triple-digit percentage increases, with crimes increasing 177.5% from 2020 to 2021, according to the report. Over the last year the number of anti-Asian hate crimes rose from 89 to 247.
“Today’s report reflects a grim reality our diverse communities know too well,” California Attorney General Rob Bonta said at a news conference Tuesday morning. Bonta pointed to the pandemic as giving way to “an epidemic of hate.”
Bonta said that hate crimes have increased to a level California hasn’t seen since the spike in the aftermath of 9/11. At the time, hate crimes jumped to 2,261 reported incidents.
Anti-Asian crimes have become a larger portion of the state’s hate crimes involving race. Two years ago, about 8% of racebased hate crimes involved Asian Americans. In 2021, that number rose to 21%.
During that time, the largest share of racebased hate crimes targeted Black people. AntiBlack hate crimes rose 13% to 513 in 2021.
Hate crimes against Latinos also saw a 30% increase in 2021, and antiJewish hate crimes rose 32%.
Bigotry has become more pervasive in recent years, and has spiked particularly around “conflictual events” such as elections and protests, said Brian Levin, who leads the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino
“It’s not just the darkest corners of the internet anymore, it’s in every space from sports to gaming,” Levin said.