L.A. Care Health Plan, the nation’s largest publicly operated health plan, is pleased to announce that it is now part of the LA vs Hate coalition as it launches its inaugural United Against Hate Week campaign. LA vs Hate, led by the Los Angeles County Commission on Human Relations, was founded in July of this year to inspire people to stand up to hate, and to encourage use of the 211 hotline to report hate incidents across the country. Reporting and tracking hate incidents are the best ways to determine where resources are needed to fight hate.
LA vs Hate began operations in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to hate incidents against Asian Americans, as well as the social justice protests over police brutality. In the same period, L.A. Care also committed itself to stand up to hate, releasing a Statement of Principles on Racial Justice and Systemic Racism. L.A. Care is proud to be a member of the LA vs Hate Coalition and join the statewide United Against Hate Week.
United Against Hate Week was born as a poster project in the Bay Area in 2017 in response to word that white supremacist groups were planning rallies in Berkeley. The project has grown beyond posters and has spread to more than 60 communities across the state.
During the week of November 30 through December 6, L.A. Care will support all LA vs Hate coalition activities. L.A. Care’s CEO John Baackes will release a statement explaining how hate threatens public health. The health plan will also conduct its own social media campaign during the week, in addition to supporting the coalition’s social media efforts.
Inclusion and equity are vital to building healthy, resilient communities. United Against Hate Week provides coalition members the opportunity to build stronger connections that will lead to year-round engagement in communities.