Among the most vulnerable groups regarding hate crimes on the streets of Los Angeles are some victims who do not report them because they do not know how to identify this type of crime against them.
As soon as the traffic light turns red on the corner of Leffingwell and La Mirada, Juan immediately runs with a bouquet of flowers in each hand to offer them to the drivers as quickly as he can, always looking for the eyes of the people behind the wheel to Find out if they agree with him approaching their vehicle to offer the flowers or simply moving on to the next one.
Some of the drivers don’t roll down the car window and others don’t even look at it, but with their hand they tell Juan that they don’t want to buy anything. The 44-year-old immigrant from Guatemala is not distressed or offended, he simply says that he is already used to being disdained.
“There are some who have spit on my flowers or on my clothes,” he explains. “They yell at me to go back to my country, you fucking Indian, and they even spit on me, but I don’t feel anything anymore.”
In the seven months that he has been selling flowers, Juan says that at first the ill-intentioned expressions of some drivers did make him feel bad to the point that he no longer wanted to go out and sell. “But the need is great,” he says.
He emphasizes that so far it has not been a specific group that offends him since it has been everyone, from Latinos, whites and blacks; However, it is the youngest or oldest who seem to be among the groups that have offended him the most.
“Now I don’t feel anything anymore, if they don’t want to buy or if they shout something at me, I just go to another car,” says the man who looks older than his age, is thin and his face looks like he hasn’t had a life. simple. He currently lives with his sister and his family in a rental room near downtown Los Angeles.
When asked about hate crimes, Juan simply indicated that he did not know what that was. He expressed that he knew that if his life was in danger he could dial the number 9-1-1, but he did not know that he could dial 2-1-1 to request support in case of a crime or security situation. hate.
A program to raise awareness
Yolie Anguiano, director of the CA vs Hate program at 211LA.org, said that they are still in the process of raising awareness and informing street vendors who in many cases do not know that this type of crime exists and that is why they do not report the crimes. .
“Now we are focusing on spreading the word and providing more attention to sellers,” explains Anguiano. “Go to the stalls where the street vendors are to inform them that if they have an experience of hate from anyone who discriminates against them, that they have the opportunity to report it openly or anonymously.”
He adds that all sellers can dial 2-1-1 if they are victims of a hate experience. “The important thing is that they report it so that they can receive the necessary support.”
Anguiano also emphasizes that not only victims can report the hate crime or situation, but also other people on behalf of the victim or people who are witnesses to the event.
According to CA v. Hate of the California Department of Civil Rights, a hostile expression or action committed, in whole or in part, is one that refers to the real or perceived identity or characteristics of a person, including race, color, disability, religion, national origin, sexual or gender orientation, including identity and being part of a protected group.
CA vs HATE explains that there are two types of hate incidents, one is acts that are not crimes, but violate civil rights laws; The other is hate crimes that may not violate the law, but like the first, cause significant damage to communities.
Some examples of hate incidents may include intimidation, hate mail or messages, a refusal of services or derogatory insults, such as those who have yelled at Juan from vehicles on his corner where he sells flowers, but due to ignorance, the young immigrant has not reported.
It is estimated that in Los Angeles County about 10,000 people work on the streets of Los Angeles, mostly immigrants, Latinos and, on many occasions, immigrants whose first language is neither Spanish nor English.
Juan expressed that fortunately 2-1-1 is not difficult to learn, although he hopes to never have to use it because, he emphasizes, he wants to not continue being a victim of any type of hate situation.
“We come to work and earn a living for our families,” says Juan, while with one eye he looks at the traffic light that is already red, which means it is time to walk between the vehicles and offer his flowers. It’s two in the afternoon and out of 10 he has only sold four bouquets.
“We are not looking to harm anyone,” he emphasized. “We just want to work.”
Crime that does not give way
According to information from the California Attorney General, in its last report published on this topic last year, hate crimes increased by 20.2%, going from 1,763 in 2021 to 2,120 in 2022. In the following months, it is expected the most recent report for 2023.
Last week, one year after California authorities established the special hotline against hate – 833-866-4283 / 833-8NOHATE -, authorities reported that the majority of calls received were regarding race and ethnicity, with 26.8% of calls citing anti-Black bias, while the second and third most cited incidents involved anti-Latino and anti-Asian bias.
Supports in 211LA
Director Anguiano explained that most street vendors do not know the type of help they can access at the 211LA.org organization. When reporting the crime, after discussing the options for the victims, depending on the act, what they need and what they want to solve.
During the first conversation we will see if the support needed is legal, counseling, mental health, trauma support or whether or not they want to report it to the police. Additionally, if necessary, an advocate from the district attorney’s office can assist you. Everything will be relative to the need of each person, including, in some cases, they may even be eligible for financial support.
The report can be filled out at 211LA.org, in Spanish, English, or when you call 2-1-1, you can communicate in English, Spanish or speak with an indigenous language interpreter.
This publication is supported by funds provided by the State of California, administered by the State Library in partnership with the California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop Hate. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, visit https://www.cavshate.org/.