The Boulder County District Attorney’s Office is teaming up with local law enforcement, OUT Boulder County, the Anti-Defamation League and other community groups to launch a Hate Crimes Initiative. As part of the initiative, the group is hosing a community town hall on Feb. 12 from 7-9 p.m. at the Boulder JCC, located at 6007 Oreg Ave. in Boulder.
The discussion will center on hate speech and crimes, how to respond to it and the impact hate speech and crimes have on the community. Guest speakers at the event include Michael Dougherty, Boulder County District Attorney, Mardi Moore, executive director of OUT Boulder County, Jonathan Lev, executive director of the Boulder Jewish Community Center, Nikhil Mankekar, community leader and former chair of the Human Relations Commission, Marta Loachamin, Boulder County commissioner, Reiland Rabaka, professor and director for the Center for African and African American Studies and Jeremy Shaver, senior associate regional director of Anti-Defamation League.
Hate crimes have continued to increase, according to a recent FBI report. In 2021, Colorado reported 277 hate crimes. That number grew 14% the following year.
“Colorado must rise above divisive rhetoric and acts of hate,” the DA’s Office stated in a news release.
Questions for panelists can be submitted in advance via email at [email protected].
