Coalition Launches 'United Against Hate' Week in Manhattan Beach
Nov 14, 2022 08:44AM ● By Mb News Staff
Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano addresses the crowd in Polliwog Park at the launch of United Against Hate week.
The South Bay Community Coalition of Leaders Against Hate officially launched its "United Against Hate" week on Sunday at Polliwog Park.
This event, which drew around 100 community members, featured the unveiling of the new rainbow pathway around the main gazebo as well as special guest
speakers.
"We are here together because we are inclusive, we are welcoming, we are a loving community, and that’s what we want to launch with this week," Manhattan Beach Mayor Steve Napolitano told the crowd.
The coalition's stated goal for the week is to stand up against hate of all
kinds and promote tolerance and inclusion.
Sally Peel, president of the Manhattan Beach Unified School District's school board, referenced several recent incidents of hate that the city and its schools have experienced.
"[Those incidents are] not who we are as a community, and your presence here today shows me that," said Peel, who encouraged parents to have age-appropriate conversations with their children about hate. "With good people everywhere, we will stand up against hate in our community."
Manhattan Beach Middle School and Mira Costa High School both on their way to joining Manhattan Beach's elementary schools in being certified with the Anti-Defamation League's "No Place for Hate" designation, Peel noted.
Once those two schools are certified, said Peel, Manhattan Beach is set to be the first school district in the Los Angeles region to have earned the "No Place for Hate" designation at all of its schools.
Coalition Formed in Response to Incidents
According to the Manhattan Beach Police Department (MBPD), there have
been 10 reported hate crimes within the city since January 2022. (See our report on the string of hate-related incidents here.)
In response to multiple instances of hate in town, Councilmember Hildy Stern
formed the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate to educate, raise
awareness, foster a sense of belonging, and support efforts to apprehend those who commit these
crimes.
The coalition includes Manhattan Beach leaders from the city, MBPD, MBUSD, Manhattan Beach
Education Foundation (MBEF), the Manhattan Beach Chamber of Commerce, L.A. County
Supervisor Mitchell’s Office, American Martyrs Catholic Church,
Congregation Tikvat Jacob, the Jewish Community Center, the Beach Cities
Health District, and the L.A. County Commission on Human Relations.
Both
the City Council and the MBUSD Board of Trustees have since made formal resolutions to
denounce incidents of hate. On October 6, the city approved a resolution condemning antisemitism
that aligned with the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's
working definition of antisemitism. The school board followed with a similar resolution on October 26.
Week of Events Planned
On Monday, L.A. County leaders will officially launch United Against Hate Week in a ceremony at 9:00 a.m. at the Kenneth Hahn Hall of Administration at 500 W. Temple Street in Los Angeles. The event will be livestreamed on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
On Tuesday, the Manhattan Beach
Education Foundation is hosting a free 6:30 p.m. screening of the documentary film “RACE to be Human” followed by a panel discussion, at the Mira Costa
Auditorium.
“RACE to be Human” is a documentary told through the lens of
students, experts, and educators, which explores how to foster healthy
conversations about race and racism and how we can collectively move
toward dignity and respect. The film is appropriate for ages 10 years
old and up.
To end the week, the coalition is promoting a Community-Wide Moment of Silence on Friday, November 18 at 9:31 a.m.
For one minute, community members of all ages are asked to pause,
focus their breath, and quietly think
about how we all can positively support others.
Lawn signs and window signs that say, “MB Stands United Against
Hate” will be available for pick up at schools, city facilities, and
other locations throughout the city during the week.
Photo credit: City of Manhattan Beach
The
coalition will continue to organize educational and awareness programs,
while also working with MBPD to hold any individual(s)
who have committed a hate crime accountable for their actions.
For more information and additional resources, see www.mbvshate.org.
To report an incident of hate, call 911 for emergencies, or call the MBPD non-emergency line at (310) 802-5140. Dial 211 to report all hate to LAvsHate.
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