Millions of Californians experienced ‘act of hate,’ many at businesses, survey says

Millions of Californians experienced at least one “act of hate” in a year — many at businesses — according to a new survey which captures the “potential prevalence” of statewide hate and offers a more in-depth look at such crimes reported to law enforcement.

The survey goes beyond hate crimes documented by the state Attorney General in an annual report that recorded 4,329 of hate events or offenses, according to the most recent report tallying incidents in 2023. That document also noted district attorneys and elected city attorneys filed charges in 463 cases.

This data is incomplete because more than two dozen law enforcement agencies — such as the West Sacramento Police Department and the Yuba County Sheriff’s Department — did not offer up data for a whole host of reasons, according to the AG’s report.

“These estimates make it clear that people across our state continue to experience hate and discrimination well beyond what is reported to law enforcement,” Civil Rights Department Director Kevin Kish said in a news release.

The survey was released by UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research, which conducts what university officials called the nation’s largest state-based population health survey. The California Civil Rights Department offered questions that were included, for the first time, in the survey. Those 12 years old and older were asked about their “experiences with hate” from 2022 to 2023, according to a news release by the state’s Civil Rights Department.

This information comes on the heels of the new state program launched this week offering businesses resources to ensure a safe environment for customers. The survey found 45% of adults experienced a hate crime on a street or sidewalk and 34% of adults experienced a hate crime in a store, theater, gas station or other business.

Locally, businesses have also been targeted with hate crimes. Data from the Sacramento Police Department shows bias motivated crimes are inconsistent over a five year period.

A trio of suspects beat up Blaze Pizza employees in Roseville during an incident in which a person came to the eatery, hurled a homophobic slur at employees and ripped down an LGBTQ+ flag in September 2024.

An 18-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of ripping down the flag. He was sentenced in February to two years of probation after he pleaded no contest to felony assault with a deadly weapon, likely to cause great bodily injury, and a misdemeanor violation of civil rights. The man was also required to complete a minimum of eight hours of anger management, according to court records.

Lt. Chris Ciampa, a spokesperson with the Roseville Police Department, said after a thorough investigation the 18-year-old man appears to be the main suspect. The two people involved in the fight were identified, but “based on evidence” were not charged with a crime, he said.

A Sacramento business also grappled with the owner called repeated hate crimes.

QueerShoppe, a thrift store on Broadway for the LGBTQ+ community, had a Pride flag mounted on its store burned in 2023. Last year, a person cracked the shop’s glass window, causing spiderweb cracks.

“There’s no scaring me away,” owner Amelia Sultana said in August.

Sacramento police spokesperson Officer Allison Smith said Thursday no arrests have been made in this incident, and that it was initially categorized as vandalism possibly motivated by bias or hate. But there is no information indicating this vandalism was a hate crime, she said.

The survey’s sampled population captured the state’s diversity, said Todd Hughes, the director of the California health interview questionnaire about hate acts. Respondents were also asked questions in multiple languages, and could respond online or by phone, he said.

“What we’ve learned in this report about hate acts — in terms of who gets targeted, why, and how often — can be an invaluable resource that helps make sure policies and programs are most effective,” UCLA’s Center for Health Policy Research Director Ninez A. Ponce said in a news release.

Hughes added staff is in the middle of a qualitative interview to ask respondents about their experiences, and let them tell their stories in a way that fixed questions cannot draw out.

Here are some of the other findings:

▪ 8% or an estimated 2.6 million Californians experienced an act of hate.

▪ 15% or an estimated 5 million people witnessed an act of hate.

▪ 83% of people experienced a verbal abuse or insult.

‘People feel safe and seen’

Hospitality is central to Nevada City’s arthouse Onyx Theater, a rare establishment in rural California.

Fresh flowers greet guests as they enter the 58-seat theater with two screens. Free tampons and pads are available in the restroom, said Onyx Theater General Manager Celine Negrete.

With a well-documented practice of hospitality at the Onyx Theater, Negrete said enrolling in the state’s Civil Rights Department “Welcome In” program felt like a natural extension. The program offers businesses resources to create a safe environment for its guests.

“Part of hospitality isn’t just providing good service,” Negrete said. “It’s making people feel safe and seen and welcome.”

Welcome In, called by state officials a “first-of-its-kind statewide pilot program,” provides entrepreneurs tailored legal training and technical assistance, according to a news release from the Civil Rights Department. The program was mandated under Assembly Bill 2448, authored by then-San Francisco Democrat Assemblymember Phil Ting, which called upon CRD to create a program to foster a safe environment, free from discrimination and harassment at businesses.

Negrete said their theater always had posters saying “All are welcome here.” It partners with Nevada County Pride or the Nevada County Citizens for Choice to show select screenings.

The Welcome In program will help train staff in de-escalation measures, she said. Those teachings equip staff with tools to not immediately call police or feel helpless in the face of a conflict, Negrete said. She doesn’t want to just respond to problems, but instead build a culture that reflects their beliefs.

“It’s not just about showing an entertaining movie and making a good batch of popcorn,” she said. “We know that film is an art form, and we’re telling stories, and these stories are important and important for our community to see and hear.”

Welcome In is now open for business owners to apply.

This story was originally published May 12, 2025 at 5:00 AM.