Community Conflict Resolution Unit

CCRU provided information about hate prevention resources available through the Civil Rights Department and free community conflict resolution support available for communities seeking to resolve conflicts in San Diego and Imperial Counties.

CCRU presented at the Bakersfield Anti-Hate Forum on its services and the Civil Rights Department's anti-hate initiatives, hate crimes resources, and the differences between hate crimes and hate incidents to over 80 attendees. CCRU was a member of the planning group leading up to the forum, which met twice monthly to plan.

CCRU attended Family Empowerment Day at Riverbank Elementary School and shared information about the Civil Rights Department and CCRU services.

CCRU provided information about CCRU and other Civil Rights Department services to a hate crimes class of students at California State University Los Angeles.

In central California, in response to a Black advocacy organization's request for assistance, CCRU designed and implemented a facilitated discussion between Black and Latino middle school youth to address incidents of racial slurs, fighting, and other discriminatory behavior to foster understanding and promote a more inclusive environment. CCRU continues its efforts in a community grappling with significant conflicts between Black and Latino youth.

CCRU attended the Imperial Valley Social Justice Committee Stop the Hate event in El Centro in Imperial County and provided an overview of its services and those available through CA v Hate.

CCRU provided a consultation to a Black media outlet interested in conducting their own anti-hate town hall. CCRU proposed framing, format, and dialogue questions.

CCRU provided training to over 100 staff of a city in coastal northern California on de-escalating tension and navigating difficult conversations when interacting with members of the public.

Housing Summit

In response to concerns raised by individuals, community members, and legal advocates, CCRU organized, coordinated and hosted an educational summit. The community was experiencing ongoing conflicts between residents and housing providers. As part of the programming, CCRU provided training to local leaders on navigating difficult conversations and de-escalating tension in the housing context. CCRU also facilitated the summit programming, developed questions and moderated a panel of local service providers. The summit addressed misinformation and tensions centered around disability rights and the need for housing providers to implement necessary changes to comply with disability access laws.

CCRU attended and presented about CRD's anti-hate initiatives and resources at the Pasadena v. Hate resource fair.

CCRU facilitated discussion amongst advocacy groups and state and local government agencies about concerns from the disability community, non-citizens, and non-English speakers that welfare benefits were being administered in a discriminatory manner rendering such benefits as nearly inaccessible. After communicating with advocacy organizations and conducting several listening sessions, CCRU identified opportunities for meaningful engagement between local government administering these programs and beneficiaries. CCRU developed and shared recommendations with local and state agencies in August 2024.

Improving Tribal and local government relations

CCRU successfully facilitated a historic meeting and dialogue between a tribal council and county government in rural northern California in order to improve relations. CCRU created a space for dialogue and collaboration where previously there had been deep pain and mistrust.

CCRU was contacted by a Filipino nonprofit organization in the Inland Empire for assistance addressing growing community fears that national rhetoric around hate will lead to increased division and hate speech. CCRU provided de-escalation and conflict resolution training for the organization and the community it serves.

CCRU participated as a panelist discussing resources available to address community conflict and hate at the Southeast Los Angeles Hate Crimes Forum in Lynwood.

CCRU presented at the Beverly Hills Human Relations Commission about CCRU's mission to promote peaceful relations by assisting communities experiencing fear, conflict, or tensions relating to discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes that have a community impact.

A local government neighborhood council sought CCRU assistance to address conflict amongst its members and members of the public that was interfering with its operations and responsiveness. CCRU worked with council leadership to develop strong community agreements to govern council meetings and engagements with the public. CCRU also prepared leadership to facilitate discussions about the community agreements at several council meetings and on how to obtain buy-in from council members.

In central California, in response to a Black advocacy organization’s request for assistance to address conflict between communities based on race and ethnicity, CCRU designed and facilitated a dialogue amongst local leaders to foster understanding, promote a more inclusive environment, and planned a dialogue amongst Black and Latino students.

CCRU collaborated with the Commission on the State of Hate, Forum Subcommittee to plan the Commission's Community Forum on threats and harassment toward public officials.

CCRU collaborated with the Commission on the State of Hate, Forum Subcommittee to plan the Commission's Community Forum on the state of hate for California's youth.

CCRU introduced itself to and discussed potential collaborations with the Pasadena Human Relations Commission.

CCRU attended and provided civil rights information at the 56th Annual Native American Day event held at the state capitol.

CCRU collaborated with the Commission on the State of Hate, Forum Subcommittee to plan the Commission's Community Forum on the state of hate in California.

CCRU attended and participated in the Stop the Hate event in Sacramento, commemorating the official launch of CA v Hate.

CCRU presented to Long Beach Human Relations Commission on CCRU’s services. CCRU has conducted extensive outreach to county and city human relations commissions to fortify collective strength throughout the state.

Water Access

Two nonprofit legal advocacy organizations contacted CCRU for assistance addressing a rural Asian community’s difficulty accessing water for basic personal use. CCRU convened and facilitated a conciliation process with state water and environmental agencies, through which the participants addressed the community’s request for assistance, their mutual interests, and potential collaborative opportunities. CCRU designed and provided a process and venue for government to hear community concerns, reassure the community that it operates free from bias, and identify collaborative opportunities to facilitate water access to affected members of the community.

In support of the Commission on the State of Hate, Forum Subcommittee, CCRU hosted a listening session of Southern California interfaith leaders concerning acts of hate against and concerns of their religious communities. The gathering provided a platform for religious communities to share their experiences with acts of hate and express concerns impacting their congregations. By fostering open dialogue, CCRU helped amplify these voices and deepen understanding across faith traditions, laying the groundwork for collaborative strategies to counter religious hate and promote unity.

CCRU presented about its services and resources available to address community conflict at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Stop the Hate Convening attended by 24 CDSS grantee organizations in Los Angeles County spreading important information to advocacy organizations as to how to address acts of hate and community conflict.

Welfare Benefits

CCRU was engaged by five advocacy organizations to help tackle systemic barriers faced by vulnerable communities—particularly persons with disabilities, non-citizens, and persons with no or limited English proficiency—when attempting to access critical governmental support systems. CCRU worked closely with advocacy groups to identify and synthesize core issues before inviting more than 25 state and local government entities to engage in introductory meetings and listening sessions. These conversations culminated in a facilitated conciliation meeting, providing a structured space for shared understanding, relationship-building, and action planning to improve access and equity across public support systems.

Enforcement of state criminal law on tribal lands by local law enforcement agency

A tribally designated housing entity, working on behalf of Native American individuals and tribes, sought CCRU services to assist the tribes in obtaining local law enforcement of state criminal laws on tribal lands. On behalf of several tribes, the housing entity sought law enforcement assistance when domestic and other violence was perpetrated on tribal lands. CCRU collaborated with the Office of the Attorney General’s Office of Native American Affairs to provide targeted education and outreach on Public Law 280. These efforts focused on enhancing understanding among tribal governments and local law enforcement agencies, fostering more effective partnerships and ensuring a coordinated approach to community safety.

Rapid Response

In January 2023, there were two mass shootings in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, affecting historically marginalized communities and leaving them in deep grief and conflict. While investigations ultimately revealed that the attacks were not motivated by hate, their devasting impact was felt among populations already targeted by prejudice and discrimination. Language barriers and systemic biases against immigrants compounded their vulnerability, making it difficult to assess the support that the community needed. In response, CCRU stepped in to bridge this gap. Within the first 48 hours, CCRU quickly assessed needs and mobilized a collaborative group of government agencies, including the Victims Compensation Board, to assist survivors in accessing vital services and benefits. This early and proactive involvement helped create a more stable environment, mitigating further unrest following the tragedy. CCRU’s efforts culminated in a statewide community resource session, complete with live interpretation and participation from trusted local agencies trusted by the community. The result was compassionate, culturally competent support delivered in a way that truly met the communities where they were.

California Conflict Resolution Unit ("CCRU") Launch

As part of California's ongoing response to the alarming rise in reported hate crimes, the Civil Rights Department's Community Conflict Resolution Unit (CCRU) was launched to partner with communities, as well as state and local governments, to proactively address and resolve tensions stemming from alleged discriminatory practices, hate incidents, or hate crimes. CCRU continues to expand its outreach across California, including school districts, tribes, community groups and CBOs, interfaith organizations, human relations commissions, boards of supervisors, city councils, and law enforcement agencies to support communities navigating fear, division, or unrest.

Under, the California Fair Employment and Housing Act, the Civil Rights Department ("CRD") is vested with key responsibilities and authority including the ability to act as a peacemaker in times of community conflict or tension relating to discriminatory practices. The Act also directs CRD to maintain coordination with the human relations commissions throughout the state, supporting collaboration and unified responses to civil rights issues. California Government Code sections 12931, 12932, and 12933; California Administration Code Title 2, Sections 10300, 10301, 10302, and 10303.