The recent rise in hate crimes and incidents that pose a threat to the safety and civility of South Bay neighborhoods and beyond has inspired our local community to create an open dialogue around the dangers of hate and the need for respect and civil discourse among all residents. The Manhattan Beach City Council and the Manhattan Beach Unified School District have taken steps to combat hate, including adopting the Inclusion Stand Up Commitment in 2017 and a joint Resolution Condemning Antisemitism last month.
Most recently, under the leadership of Councilmember Hildy Stern, many local community organizations have joined forces as the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate to decrease the incidents of hate and foster a sense of belonging through programs that educate, raise awareness, and support the apprehension of perpetrators. Members include Coalition Chair Councilmember Stern, the City of Manhattan Beach, the Manhattan Beach Unified School District, the Manhattan Beach Police Department, and many other local community and religious organizations.
Kicking off their efforts with the nationally-recognized United Against Hate Week, the Coalition has several plans in the works to combat hate in Manhattan Beach. In the Know host Ellen Padnos talks with Councilmember Stern and MBEF Executive Director Hilary Mahan to learn more about local efforts to support more inclusive communities in the South Bay. Listen Here.
