Assemblymember Rob Bonta (D-Oakland), who has been nominated to be Attorney General of California, has introduced  a bill, AB 886, “to combat a recent surge in hate attacks with community-based solutions including prevention steps and victim assistance.”

The bill would also provide support for victims and avenues of restorative justice.

“The recent rise in racist and xenophobic attacks on members of the API community and the larger increase in hate crimes must be addressed with decisive action,” said Bonta. “The embers of hate have always been present, but they have recently been fanned into a fire of violence by no less than the previous occupant of the White House.”

AB 886 would fund community-based organizations that provide culturally competent mental health services for victims of hate violence and restorative justice programs. The bill would also expand the eligibility for victims of hate violence to access victim compensation funds and not be denied solely because the victim did not file a police report.

“All communities deserve to be seen, valued, and protected,” said Bonta. “AB 886 would assure that consultation with the victim becomes a primary focus along with community healing. AB 886 would address prevention by providing additional restorative justice tools to proactively increase the likelihood that an individual who caused the harm would not do additional harm.”

AB 886 is co-sponsored by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – California and supported by many organizations, including

AACI, AAPI Women Lead, APIENC, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Asian Law Alliance, Bay Rising, CAIR-CA, Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants, Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation, Family Bridges, Filipino Advocates for Justice, Hip Hop For Change Inc., Japanese American Citizens League, Oakland Asian Cultural Center.

Mia Lane

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