We were formerly known as the Antelope Valley Hate Crimes Task Force, and we still do run a Hate Crimes Hotline at 1-877-7AT-PEACE. We are a grass roots community based volunteer organization and have been for the past 10+ years.
The mission of the Antelope Valley Human Relations Commission is to install a system to facilitate the reporting, investigation, and prosecution of hate crimes; lend victim assistance and identify initiatives to significantly reduce the incidence of hate crimes in the Antelope Valley.
Membership:
All organizations must provide a copy of their bylaws and attend 3 consecutive meetings. Attend Diversity training class from the Museum of Tolerance. At-large members must attend the training and 3 meetings. Both must be nominated by an existing member and elected by the body.
What is a Hate Crime?
According to California state law, hate crime charges are filed when there is evidence that bias, hatred, or prejudice based on the victim’s real or perceived race/ethnicity, religion, ancestry, national origin, disability, gender, or sexual orientation is a substantial factor in the commission of the offense. This definition is codified in the California penal code sections 422.55 to 422.95 pertaining to hate crime.
Evidence of such bias, hatred, or prejudice can be direct or circumstantial. It can occur before, during, or after the commission of the offense.
Hate speech is a criminal offense when the speaker/writer has threatened violence against a specific person or group of persons. The threat must be immediate and unequivocal. The aggressor must also have the ability to carry out that threat.
Frequently, derogatory words or epithets are directed against a member of a protected class, but no violence is threatened and there is no apparent ability to harm the target. Such hate incidents are important indicators of intergroup tensions. They are not, however, criminal offenses. Such language is protected by free speech rights set forth in the California and U.S. constitutions.
This is our new page on the web, and we are in the process of updating it with our most recent information. Check out our Facebook page too at AVHRC Facebook Page
I am interested in joining your organization to help contribute to create and maintain a paceful community and society. Please inform me what do I need to do to join, meeting dates, place, etc. Thank you.
My phone numbers are: (661) 537-6116, or (661) 886-8479
36553 30th Street East
Palmdale CA 93550