Jesse Cheng, a graduate of UC Irvine and member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), supports efforts to protect the rights of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders through JACL's anti-hate program. This program addresses hate crimes, which are motivated by bias based on race, religion, or other identities, by providing resources and connecting victims to law enforcement. The document emphasizes the ongoing threat of hate crimes against these communities and offers guidance for reporting incidents and seeking crisis support.

1. JACL's Anti-Hate Program
Jesse Cheng

2. Introduction
A graduate of the University of California, Irvine, Jesse Cheng has been actively
involved with organizations that promote the rights of Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders. A public relations intern at Assura Public Relations, Jesse Cheng is a
member of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL).

3. JACL is a national organization with the mission to secure the civil and human rights of
Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The organization has an anti-hate program that
fights prejudice and bigotry against these groups of people, promoting a society where
everyone feels safe and secure.

4. Asian and Pacific Islanders can to some extent be identified by their physical
characteristics. Therefore, when a global issue arises that has the potential to direct
negative attention toward these groups, members may experience hate crimes. For
example, after the Pearl Harbor attack, Japanese Americans bore the brunt of racist
actions and even had their Constitutional rights violated. Sadly, almost a century
later, Asians and Pacific Islanders still face threats of hate crimes.

5. According to the FBI, a hate crime is a criminal offense directed against a
person solely or in part because of the offender’s bias against his or her race,
disability, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, or identity. JACL
publishes resources to help people who have been victims of hate crimes. It
also connects them with the appropriate law enforcement authorities to take
up the matter.

6. If you have been the victim of a hate crime or you are uncomfortable and feel
you are in danger, call 911. If someone you know has been the victim of a hate
crime or is in danger, alert the FBI through its local office. To report an incident
to an organization within the community, you can look up the SAALT Hate
Crime Tracker, OCA Hate Crime Reporting site, or AAJC Stand Against Hate
Reporting site. If you are in need of crisis support, text “HOME” to 741741.