Long Beach Conference Tracks Rise of Hate and Extremism

April 8, 2026

Confluence Rising hosted its fifth annual Roots of Justice Convening in Long Beach, bringing together approximately 350 participants from various sectors to address hate and promote inclusivity. Civil rights expert Lecia Brooks delivered the keynote speech, warning about Christian supremacy ideology becoming central to extremist movements and highlighting data showing 1,371 hate groups operating across America, including 97 in California. Brooks emphasized that Black people remain the primary targets of race-based hate crimes and warned that extremist groups actively recruit young white men through online radicalization.

Who is affected

Black people (identified as most frequent victims of race-based hate crimes)
Jewish people (targeted by anti-Semitic groups)
Muslims (targeted by anti-Muslim hate groups)
Immigrants (branded as criminals and cultural threats)
LGBTQ individuals (subjected to demonizing rhetoric)
White young men aged 13-30 (prime targets for extremist recruitment)
Students and youth concerned about safety
Mexican Americans and other marginalized communities
The 350 business professionals, educators, nonprofit leaders, and community members who attended
Families and educators dealing with youth radicalization

What action is being taken

Confluence Rising is hosting the annual Roots of Justice Convening forum
The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) is tracking and documenting hate groups through their Year in Hate & Extremism report
SPLC has expanded its focus to helping families and educators shield young people from extremist influence
The NCCJ Brotherhood Sisterhood Camp is empowering students to build more inclusive communities
Workplaces represented at the conference are advancing equity and justice initiatives
Organizations are celebrating cultural heritage months (Black History Month, Women's History Month, Asian Pacific Islander Month) to promote understanding

Why it matters

This matters because hate groups are gaining significant influence in government at all levels, with nearly 1,400 such organizations operating nationwide. The rise of Christian supremacy ideology as a driving force behind multiple forms of hatred (anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim, anti-Semitic) represents a fundamental threat to democratic pluralism and inclusive society. Young people are being actively targeted for radicalization, particularly white men aged 13-30, making intervention and education critical for future generations. The persistence of anti-Black racism and hate crimes against various marginalized communities demonstrates that systemic discrimination remains a pressing crisis requiring coordinated community, workplace, and institutional responses.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint