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Philadelphia Commission Dealing With Recent Increase In Hate-Related Incidents

by Cherri Gregg

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations is stepping up its efforts to deal with an increase in complaints about hate-related incidents since Election Day.

They're deploying teams all over the city.

The Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations created its Civil Rights Rapid Response Team after a pig's head was thrown outside of a North Philadelphia mosque last December.

The group is a partnership between law enforcement, faith, immigrant, and community groups; and in the days since Donald Trump was Elected president, they've been busy working to quell tensions.

"We are being challenged in a way that we have not seen in many, many years," says Rue Landau, who runs the commission.

She says they've seen an uptick in racist and anti-Semitic graffiti, hate speech, and intimidation, as well as intimidation on college campuses.

Landau says the commission is collecting complaints to see if any violate the law.

"We're tracking all bias incidents throughout the city so we get a better picture of what's going on," she says.

The commission enforces the city's housing, employment, and accommodation anti-discrimination laws.

"People need to know that their action has consequences," says Landau, "we all have to come together-- we need to speak up if we see hate."

Landau says the Commission is working with the Mayor's Office to coordinate a response.

She says the public should contact the commission if they see hate or discrimination. To file a complaint, call 215-686-4670 or email pchr@phila.gov.

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