Dear Sang,

Inland Empire community groups are hosting an event Saturday to help residents, community groups and law enforcement recognize and combat hate crimes.

With a population of more than half Latino, 7% Black and 8% Asian, the region faces unique cultural and economic pressures. The Anti-Hate Forum will bring together local education, government and business leaders to provide tools for addressing hate crimes in the region.

Law enforcement officials with the U.S. Department of Justice, FBI and San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office will explain what constitutes hate crimes and how to report them. Community groups are offering resources on cultural inclusivity, and a youth poetry contest challenges young people to air their thoughts on the matter.

The forum takes place Saturday, September 21, from 1:30 PM to 4:15 pm at San Bernardino Valley College Business Conference Center, Building 100.

Alberto Noriega, an organizer of the event and district director for the League of United Latin American Citizens Inland Empire, talked to Cal Matters about the forum.

What are your concerns about incidents of hate in the Inland Empire?

We’re witnessing the alarming rise of forces that are actively spreading hate, not just through words and symbols, but through acts of violence. If we’re silent, we’re allowing them to use every tool at their disposal to harm our community. So we have to raise the alarm.

Which groups are frequent targets of hate now? 

We’re seeing too much activity against the immigrants. With all the political rhetoric that is flying out right now because of the election, it’s causing a lot of disruption and fear and harassment in the community. They're talking about ideas that the immigrants are criminals, that the immigrants don't bring anything good into the nation. That rhetoric has no place in our democracy.

What are the most dangerous sources of hate in the region?

At the top of the list are White supremacy groups and extreme political groups. There’s pockets in the Inland Empire. Up until the 1980s in Fontana they actually held regular KKK meetings. They may be operating under different names and hiding themselves, but they're out there. If we’re silent, that would only encourage them to continue.

How are businesses affected by hate? 

If the fabric of the community is being upset by hate, and it is attacking businesses specifically, and those businesses cannot afford to continue, it may not encourage the growth that we look for. There’s an impact on the community when small businesses are closing down because of hate, particularly when the businesses have minority owners and don’t have resources to fall back on. 

What can people do to fight hate in their communities?

Becoming informed is number one.  Oftentimes people are not aware of what constitutes a hate crime. This forum is bringing together law enforcement to provide information on combating hate. For the community it’s a matter of personal awareness, protecting each other when these incidents happen and taking appropriate steps to report them.

Local leaders are complaining about a surge of dust in the Coachella Valley a year after Tropical Storm Hilary. They raised the issue at a committee hearing of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments last week, asking air quality regulators to explain where the dust is coming from and what it means for public health. Turns out the dust consists of extra coarse particles that are larger than the fine particulates considered hazardous to health, the South Coast Air Quality Management District reported. But local leaders weren’t convinced. City council members and water board representatives said they’re seeing worsening cases of asthma and more kids with coughs, bloody noses and sore throats. There will be lots more discussion of desert air quality at a conference Friday and Saturday at The Westin Rancho Mirage Golf Resort & Spa.

Latinos in the Inland Empire report that they are shortchanged when it comes to well paid jobs and affordable housing, according to a recent survey by the UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies and UC’s Possibility Lab. More than half the region’s population is Latino, and they’re having a hard time getting their fair share of opportunities and resources, the survey found. While more than half said they have adequate access to clean water, the internet, education and transportation, 80% said they can’t find housing at an affordable price, and 60% said good jobs are hard to come by.

Thanks for reading! While you are here, please sign up for the Inland Empire newsletter and let me know what kinds of stories you’d love to read.

And please add my email to your contacts:  inlandempire@calmatters.org