At Here I Am, an event hosted by the Bay Area JCRC, Contra Costa District Attorney Diana Becton delivered a speech condemning antisemitism and all forms of hate in the Bay Area.
“Here I am, to stand firmly with you to express a deep commitment to a community that values diversity, inclusion, and understanding. Here I am to say that hate crimes have no place in our modern world, and I stand firmly against them,” Becton said.
Antisemitic hate crimes increased in California by 24.3 percent from 152 incidents in 2021 to 189 in 2022. The Bay Area has similarly seen a rise in antisemitic incidents, such as hateful flyers distributed in Danville, Concord, Berkeley, and other cities, and antisemitic disruptions during Walnut Creek city council meetings, the JCRC shared in a statement.
“The Contra Costa County District Attorney’s office has tools and resources to assist our law enforcement partners in the investigation of possible hate crimes, including the identification, arrest, and prosecution and conviction of perpetrators of hate crimes,” Becton said.
Becton specifically highlighted her office’s prosecution of a Concord resident who made threats against the Jewish community.
“Every person deserves to live without fear of being targeted for who they are. So here I am, combating hate,” Becton said.
Becton was joined by numerous colleagues including Rebecca Bauer-Kahan, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier, and more.
