One year ago today, President Biden and Vice President Harris hosted the United We Stand Summit to counter the corrosive effects of hate-fueled violence on our democracy and public safety, highlight the response of the Biden-Harris Administration and communities nationwide to these dangers, and put forward a shared, bipartisan vision for a more united America.
Hate must have no safe harbor in America. Even as our nation has endured a disturbing series of hate-fueled attacks-from Jacksonville to Oak Creek to Orlando, Charleston, Pittsburgh, El Paso, Atlanta, Buffalo, and beyond -Americans of all beliefs and political affiliations remain overwhelmingly united in their opposition to such violence. When Americans cannot freely participate in the basic activities of everyday life-like going to school, shopping at the grocery store, or attending their house of worship-without fear of being targeted and killed for who they are, the very fabric of our society is at risk.
Since taking office, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken numerous steps to counter hate-fueled violence-from signing the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, to releasing the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, to signing the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, the most significant legislation in three decades to reduce gun violence. Today, on the first anniversary of the White House United We Stand Summit, the Biden-Harris Administration is providing an update on our efforts to prevent, respond to, and recover from hate-fueled violence, including by:
- Combating hate by investigating and prosecuting hate crimes. Since January 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has charged more than 90 defendants in over 80 cases and secured more than 70 convictions of defendants. The Federal Bureau of Investigations has elevated civil rights violations and hate crimes enforcement for prioritization among its 56 field offices. DOJ directed the Chief of the Criminal Section of the Civil Rights Division to expedite review of hate crimes.
