FBI Launches Statewide Campaign in Oregon to Combat Hate Crimes

In a bid to tackle the rising tide of hate crimes, the Portland Division of the FBI has initiated an extensive advertising campaign across Oregon. Launched on November 6, the effort encompasses billboards strategically placed in Medford, Eugene, and Corvallis, along with static and digital displays at Portland International Airport, reaching thousands of daily passengers.

Hate crimes, deemed the highest priority in the FBI’s civil rights program, are criminal offenses driven by bias against race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity, gender, or gender identity. The FBI, serving as the lead investigative agency for federal civil rights violations, collaborates closely with local, state, tribal, and other federal law enforcement partners, irrespective of pursuing federal charges.

Kieran L. Ramsey, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Portland Field Office, emphasized the urgency of combatting hate crimes, stating, “Violent acts motivated by hate are unacceptable in our communities.” Ramsey expressed concern over the doubling of reported hate crimes in Oregon over the past five years, stressing the need for increased reporting.

The FBI’s awareness campaign, “Protecting Our Communities Together: Report Hate Crimes,” aligns with the Oregon initiative, aiming to enhance education and reporting nationwide. Medford’s billboard locations, including Bullock Rd, Table Rock Rd, Lawnsdale Rd, and Bank Rd, serve as focal points for spreading the message.

Notably, recent data reveals that race/ethnicity/ancestry is the primary motivator in approximately 60% of 2022 Oregon hate crime incidents. Victims perceived as Black are targeted most frequently in this category. Religion accounts for about 10% of cases, with victims perceived as Jewish being the most targeted religious group. Sexual orientation motivates roughly 18% of reported incidents in Oregon.

The campaign underscores the importance of every individual’s right to live without fear of violence or intimidation, reinforcing the collaborative effort to protect communities and promote awareness.