Detroit Evening Report: Hate crimes in US reached all-time high in 2023, FBI data shows
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Protesters gathered in east Minneapolis for a rally and march to denounce hate speech and hate crimes against Muslims, Sept. 17, 2016.
New data published by the FBI this week shows that 2023 saw the highest number of hate crime reports in the U.S. since the agency began tracking such incidents more than three decades ago.
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The report shows an increase in religious-based hate crimes, especially anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and antisemitic crimes. There were almost 12,000 incidents reported to the FBI last year. Crimes reported against the LGBTQ+ community also increased by 7%.
Maya Berry, executive director at the Arab American Institute, says when looking for ways to help stop these incidents, people need to understand first what a hate crime is.
“When a hate crime occurs against an individual, it is targeting an entire community, and standing in solidarity both with that individual family as well as their community and speaking out against that type of hate, is incredibly important and responsive,” Berry said.
According to the FBI, hate crimes have been on the rise since 2015, and particularly after the 2016 presidential election. Between 2015 and 2022, there was a 99% increase in hate crimes, the agency reports.
Reporting by Amanda LeClaire, WDET News
Other headlines for Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024:
- Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy says she will not charge five people who were arrested after Wayne State police broke up a pro-Palestinian encampment in May.
- Rising Voices and APIA Vote Michigan are hosting their annual Vote For Our Families celebration from 1-5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at Raintree Park in Troy.
- Tickets are now on sale for the Dearborn Parks & Recreation Department’s annual Halloweenfest and Haunted Trail, set for Oct.18-20 at Ford Field Park in west Dearborn.
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