LA vs Hate program is launched countywide

LA vs Hate, the county’s anti-hate program, joined LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell to kick off United Against Hate Week by unveiling a new mural that celebrates LA County’s Black community at a special event at Willowbrook Senior Center.

The mural, “It’s All For You,” by Brittney Price, is the fifth and final mural of LA vs Hate’s Summer of Solidarity, a public art series that celebrates the diverse communities of Los Angeles. Launched by the LA County Commission on Human Relations in 2019, LA vs Hate is a community-centered program designed to encourage all residents of Los Angeles County to unite against and report hate, as well as to support those of us who may have been victims of hate-motivated acts.

Returning for its fourth annual campaign, LA vs Hate’s United Against Hate Week (UAHW) is part of a statewide call for local civic action to put a stop to the spread of hate and discrimination, which remains a threat to our school campuses, neighborhoods, towns, and cities.

This LA vs Hate mural was created in partnership with Willowbrook Inclusion Network, Brotherhood Crusade and LA Commons, as well as the office of LA County Supervisor Holly Mitchell. Each of LA vs Hate’s five solidarity murals unveiled across LA County conveys inclusion, pride and history of groups experiencing high levels of hate and discrimination, and promotes cross-cultural and interracial solidarity, utilizing the power of art as part of its strategy to unite diverse communities against hate.

This coalition of County leadership and community partners launched United Against Hate Week with a call for peace and unity during a time where world events are causing division and rising rates of hate across LA, state and the nation.

This follows the trend at the state and national level where in California hate crimes increased over 20 percent from 2021 to 2022, according to the CA Department of Justice.  LAPD reported that in the city of LA, hate crimes grew 15% in 2022, with anti-Black hate crimes jumping 36%, making it among the most targeted for hate crimes along with Latinos, Jews and the LGBTQ+ communities.

LA vs Hate leads LA County’s campaign each year, with over 10,000 anti-hate “Comm-Unity” posters going up in areas where hate acts have been reported and on Metro buses and trains; hundreds of hate victims who report to LA vs Hate and 211LA benefiting from free assistance and support to remedies for violations of their rights; and dozens of LA County communities, organizations and individuals organizing protests, educational events, and art activations – all focused on stopping the hate and preventing hate violence.

The press conference and dedication ceremony featured speeches from LA County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, President of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations Ilan Davidson, Executive Director of the LA County Commission on Human Relations Robin Toma, Director of the Los Angeles County Aging & Disabilities Department Laura Trejo, Executive Vice President of Brotherhood Crusade Stacy Hill-Williams, CEO of LA Commons Karen Mack, Willowbrook Inclusion Network Founder Reginald Johnson and poet Shandela Contreras.

The ceremony also included remarks from a hate victim who reported an incident to LA vs Hate and shared their story. The community celebration that followed included family-friendly activities, food, as well as dance performances from the Willowbrook Center Senior Line Dancers.

“This unveiling is the culmination of residents across Willowbrook and South LA coming together to pay homage to the history of their communities while working to create a brighter future,” said Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell. “I want to thank LA vs Hate and all the community partners involved in making this important event possible. I cannot think of a better time than now, to recommit to ending all forms of hate, it is my hope that this mural is a beautiful reminder of what is possible when we are brave enough to do so.”

“I’m proud of what our Commission has done in bringing LA vs Hate to communities through these beautiful murals and the energizing events of United Against Hate Week,” said Ilan Davidson, President of the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations.  Its Executive Director, Robin Toma, added, “When community art is purposed to uplift and unify our communities, we become stronger and resistant to the things that would divide us – but right now, more of us need to do something to spread the word about LAvsHate.org as the place to learn, report, get help, and change the policies, practices and cultures that perpetuate hate and discrimination.”

“Brotherhood Crusade is honored to stand alongside LA vs Hate, Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, and our partners in unveiling the ‘It’s All For You’ mural, symbolizing unity in LA County’s Black community,” said Charisse Bremond Weaver, President and CEO of Brotherhood Crusade. “This mural illustrates the beauty that emerges when diverse voices come together to spread a message of peace and understanding, and we are so proud to be part of this important movement as part of our commitment to creating a more positive and inclusive South Los Angeles.”

“When we experience art and culture together, it enables us to transcend differences and find common ground,” said Karen Mack, CEO of LA Commons. “This mural in Willowbrook and those in the other parts of the County are powerful touchstones providing us with beauty, inspiration and meaning, and energizing us for United Against Hate Week at a time when this is more important than ever.”

“Willowbrook Inclusion Network and resident stakeholders appreciate the added value to our community by way of arts and culture, specifically visual art in the form of murals,” said Reginald Johnson, founder of Willowbrook Inclusion Network. “The coalition that worked together on this project needs to be replicated and scaled to enhance historic preservation projects that help communities understand their past, present and future.”

Top Photo Credit:

A new anti-hate mural was unveiled in Los Angeles on Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Willowbrook Senior Center to celebrate LA County’s Black community. Muralist, Brittany S. Price gazed up at the mural she created and named, “It’s All for You.” “The mural welcomes the neighborhood with open arms to the gateway of South Los Angeles by connecting the history and future of Willowbrook’s ecology and community.