The 2013 report shows hate crimes across O.C. dropped by 20 percent in 2013 — largely due to a decrease in vandalism — but the number of incidents involving violence increased. “One hate crime is too many,” said Rusty Kennedy, who heads the commission, as he detailed the experiences of different communities. Hate crimes targeting people — as opposed to other types of offenses, such as vandalism of buildings — rose from 24 in 2012 to 28 in 2013.
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OC Human Relations, a county commission formed to fight prejudice and discrimination, has been tracking the number of hate crimes in Orange County with an annual report for more than 20 years. Its chief executive, Rusty Kennedy, said he is pleased the latest report shows the overall numbers are down, but alarmed that crimes targeting individuals are up.
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The Rafu Shimpo, 08/06/14 The Orange County Human Relations Commission elected Laguna Hills CPA Ken Inouye as chair at the regularly scheduled meeting on June 12. Currently vice chair, he will assume leadership at the commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 14.
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OC Register, 07/02/14, Key figures in the fight for civil rights marked Wednesday’s 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act during a gathering at Second Baptist Church organized by OC Human Relations.
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Part of the mission of OC Human Relations is to connect family and friends of hate-crime victims with resources as they navigate the system, Rusty Kennedy said. He added that his group, and the county government as a whole, was saddened to hear about a possible hate crime.
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OC Register 05/07/14: Sixteen Orange County residents who fought for equality were honored by OC Human Relations Thursday night at the organization’s Legacy Awards.
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“Hangings, like cross burnings, are incredible symbols of hate and bigotry and oppression of African Americans,” Rusty Kennedy said. “They are symbols that have huge meaning and were designed to terrorize and subjugate people.
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STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — Rusty Kennedy, CEO of OC Human Relations visited the KCAL9 studios Wednesday to talk about the upcoming Legacy Awards. The event will honor Orange County’s Civil Right heroes in honor of the 50th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act. CBS2 and KCAL9 are a proud media sponsor of the event. The awards will be held on Thursday,
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Chairman of the Board of Supervisors, Shawn Nelson, conceived and sponsored a presentation titled “Free Speech vs. Hate Speech”, on December 4 in Anaheim. The event was organized by OC Human Relations and the Association of California Cities-Orange County.
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Trial is scheduled to start Dec 2 for two ex-Fullerton police officers charged in the high-profile beating death a mentally ill homeless man. Kelly Thomas, 37, had been a longtime fixture on the streets of Fullerton. His death in July 2011 shook the town and touched off a wave of soul-searching on how the city of 135,000 deals with homelessness.
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OC Human Relations now has a new name. We are Groundswell!
Use the link below to visit our landing page and learn more about this exciting announcement!