Community Takes A Stand Against Hate In Manhattan Beach

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — After experiencing a number of reported hate crimes since the beginning of the year, Manhattan Beach city officials and community members gathered to let people know that hate has no place in Manhattan Beach.

On Sunday the South Bay Community Coalition Against Hate launched its "United Against Hate Week" with an event at Polliwog Park where students and city officials spoke out against the hate symbols that have been popping up on campuses in the city.

"I envision a future of inclusive, supportive, respectful, and kind environments that allow students to feel safe as who they are enabling them to thrive and learn," said Ava, a fourth-grade student at Pacific Elementary School. "When hate exists, it can affect my learning environment and affects our social confidence and ability to grow. It can also affect the ability to ask questions without judgment. Let's help our students feel safe, supported and accepted."

In 2022 alone there have been nine different reports of antisemitic incidents, with the most recent being on Sept. 17 at Pennekamp Elementary School where officials found hateful phrases drawn on walls.

The first symbols were found in February at Mira Costa High School where a swastika and a Confederate flag were drawn inside of a bathroom stall.

"Eighth grade was the first time I saw a swastika drawn on the bathroom stall at school," Mira Costa High School senior Brent Torres said. "An assembly was called to address this, but within weeks more hateful symbols and phrases would appear on desks throughout campus."

Sally Peel, Manhattan Beach Unified School District Board of Trustees President, said the district collaborated with student groups, teachers, staff, community leaders, police and parents to put together programs and strategies for combating hate.

Peel said the district has made efforts to combat the problem, including increasing patrols when vandalism is most likely to happen and incorporating new literature into the core curriculum. Peel also said that MBUSD is slated to be the first school district in the Anti-Defamation League Los Angeles region to have a "No Place For Hate" designation at all schools.

"There's a few that are trying to make our community look bad in the eyes of the world. We cannot let them do it. We will not let them do it," Rabbi Yossi Mintz said. " I've lived in this community for 27 years, I stand out as a very proud Jew. I can tell you never in our community did I experience any form of hate ever."

Moving forward, the school district and the city plan to continue their efforts to combat hate. United Against Hate Week lasts until Nov. 19 and includes more events such as a community-wide moment of silence and a screening of the movie "Race to be Human."

"This is what our community is all about, coming together and supporting each other and be a part of a beautiful community," Councilmember Hilde Stern, founder of the SBCCAH, said. "We can be thoughtful and we can be mindful about how we can continue to have intention of being better for each other and ourselves every day."