Washington, DC — In an interview with Axios earlier this week, California Attorney General Rob Bonta says that “fighting rising anti-Asian hate is personal to him as the state’s first Filipino American attorney general.”

 Axios writes, “The big picture: Bonta, who is the second Asian American to occupy the position, is one of only a handful of Asian American attorneys general in the 50 states. Two others are Connecticut AG William Tong and Utah’s Sean Reyes. They are the chief law enforcement officers in their states at a time of rising hate crimes against Asian Americans and as law enforcement agencies struggle to report hate crimes to the FBI.”

 “What he’s saying: ‘Over the last two years… anti-AAPI hate crimes went up 107% (and that was) followed by an additional 177% increase the year before,’ Bonta tells Axios.” 

“‘As an Asian American, as during this time of hate against our community, my community… I feel the duty, obligation, responsibility, to step up and step in to take a leadership role.’” 

Axios continues, “Don’t forget: Within two and a half weeks of taking office, Bonta created the Racial Justice Bureau with his office ‘to put a flag in the ground and say’ racial injustice exists in California.”

“He launched several anti-racial discrimination and anti-hate initiatives and has toured the state to meet with cities and police departments on the need to fight hate crimes.”

 “What’s next: Bonta said he is confident that California law enforcement agencies will move to the new system soon and is working to make sure police departments have the resources they need.”

“‘We’ve reminded local law enforcement, and will continue to do so, of their duty to report and the need to get that information so that we can act on it,’ he said.”

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