Hate Crimes Forum in Anchorage, Alaska

Saturday, September 21 Hate Crimes Forum in Anchorage, Alaska

CRS facilitated a public Hate Crimes Forums in Anchorage on September 21, 2019, that provided Anchorage residents insight into how hate crimes are investigated and prosecuted, the effect of bias incidents and hate crimes on at-risk communities, and resources for addressing bias incidents and hate crimes that are available to communities and victims.

The Anchorage Equal Rights Commission requested the CRS forum to address a perceived underreporting of hate crimes in the state, provide participating community members educational resources, and foster a structured environment where residents could express their fears and concerns about hate crimes and tensions in Anchorage.

Nearly 100 attendees including representatives from advocacy groups, community leaders, faith leaders, and students attended the forum at the Anchorage Public Library’s main branch. Forum participants included the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Alaska, FBI, Alaska State Troopers, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Anchorage Police Department, Alaska Institute for Justice, Anchorage Equal Rights Commission, Bridge Builders of Anchorage, Congregation Beth Sholom, First Alaskans Institute, Islamic Community Center of Alaska, Municipality of Anchorage, NAACP Anchorage Unit 1000, Polynesian Association of Alaska, Transgender Leadership Alaska, and Welcoming Anchorage. 

CRS is committed to addressing hate crimes across the country and continues its work in Alaska to support local efforts to improve reporting and prevent hate crimes in the state.