By VOICE & VIEWPOINT NEWSWIRE
Hate littering, or distributing flyers, posters, or symbols with hateful messaging targeting protected communities, has become more prevalent in recent years. Assemblymember Chris Ward, joined by San Diego City Councilmember Raul Campillo, San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria, and San Diego City Attorney Mara Elliott, announced new legislation to address this practice with AB 3024: The Stop Hate Littering Act.
“These are deliberate, targeted attacks that are intended to harass and intimidate victims, dehumanizing them based on their religion, gender or sexual orientation, or other characteristic,” said Assemblymember Ward.
According to the Anti-Defamation League, the spread of anti-Semitic flyers is part of a rising trend of anti-Semitic hate. The organization found that in 2023, there were more than 3,600 anti-Semitic acts of assault, vandalism and harassment in the United States — at least eight instances of anti-Semitic flyers being distributed on car windshields in San Diego neighborhoods were documented in 2023.
The Stop Hate Littering Act will make necessary updates to existing law by building on the Ralph Act of 1976 to ensure victims are provided adequate protections, civil recourse, and create new legal tools for law enforcement to hold offenders accountable and deter hate act activity.
“Distributing hate literature is an affront to the principles of respect, inclusivity and diversity that define our city and state — and that we must work to protect,” said San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria.
