Tackling Hate in California: Oakland Kicks off United Against Hate Week With a Mural Dedicated to Unity

October 22, 2025

Oakland community leaders unveiled a new mural titled "Together, We Rise" at Chinatown's Wilma Chan Park on October 16, marking the beginning of United Against Hate week (October 19-25). Created by the street art crew Illuminaries, the nearly 40-foot mural features a dragon called the "Oakness Monster" rising from Lake Merritt, symbolizing unity and multicultural harmony as California continues to face rising hate crimes. The project represents a collaborative effort between state agencies and local organizations in response to increasing hate crimes, which rose by 2.

Who is affected

Oakland residents, particularly those in Chinatown
Senior citizens in Chinatown who experienced assaults and hate crimes
Third-grade students from Lincoln Elementary School who contributed to the mural
Religious communities, especially Jewish people facing increased hate crimes
LGBTQ+ communities experiencing surges in hate crimes
Black and Asian communities (though they saw slight decreases in reported incidents)
Victims of hate crimes throughout California

What action is being taken

The City of Oakland is recognizing United Against Hate week through art initiatives
The Illuminaries street art crew has painted a nearly 40-foot mural in Oakland Chinatown
The California Vs. Hate hotline is operating to allow anonymous reporting of hate incidents
The Civil Rights Department is connecting hate crime victims with community-based legal and mental health support
A coalition of organizations including state agencies and local groups is collaborating on anti-hate initiatives

Why it matters

Hate crimes in California increased by 2.7% from 2023 to 2024, rising from 1,970 to 2,023 incidents
Anti-Jewish crimes and hate crimes targeting sexual orientation and gender identity have increased
Anti-Black incidents remain the most prevalent type of hate crime in California with 494 recorded incidents in 2024
The California Vs. Hate hotline received 1,200 reports in 2024, with 44% related to racial or ethnic bias
The mural and related initiatives create visibility for anti-hate messaging and provide resources for communities experiencing discrimination

What's next

Beginning in July 2026, the California Business, Consumer Services, and Housing Agency will split into two agencies: the California Housing and Homelessness Agency (CHHA) and the Business and Consumer Services Agency
The restructuring aims to allow a more holistic approach to keeping communities "healthy and resilient and strong against the hate that's happening"

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