Hate Crimes Against Latinos Rise In California

Many Latinos and Latin American immigrants do not come forward and report crimes for fear of the police. By law, a hate crime is a criminal act targeting someone because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity. Last year in California, there were 119 documented hate crimes against ethnic Latinos or Latin American immigrants. In 2009, that number stood at 81 statewide. “Latinos are identified as one of the most prominent immigrant groups,” said Brian Levin, director of the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at Cal State San Bernardino. “That, coupled with demographic changes and long-term structural changes to the economy, I think has also influenced the targeting as well.”

via kpbs.org: Hate Crimes Against Latinos Rise In California