Crisis Response Manual
INTRODUCING THE CRISIS RESPONSE SYSTEM MANUAL:
In 2017, LLEAD collaborated with Latinx leaders around Michigan to create the Crisis Response System Manual. This PDF document details how best to respond to a racial bias incident or crisis in your community. This page introduces the manual, a link to download the complete Crisis Response System Manual, and our new Bias Incident Report system form. This form should not be used as a substitute for emergency medical attention or legal advice. Responses to the form will be emailed to the nearest chapter representative, who will contact you regarding your report.
Excerpt from The Manual:
Since the 2016 election, an upsurge of anti-immigrant, anti-LGBTQ, anti-Muslim, anti-Black, and anti-Latina/o hate speech and hate crime has threatened communities around the country. Although racist incidents have always plagued the Latinx community, promises to “Build the Wall” with Mexico and widespread fear of “illegal aliens” “stealing” American jobs, “freeloading” off government benefits, and committing violent crimes have fueled a rise in hate crimes and bias incidents against the Latinx community. And although members of our diverse community identify themselves in many ways — as Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, indigenous, Black or Afro-Latinx, as a nationality such as Puerto Rican or Mexican, or simply as American — such attacks threaten our entire community.
Today, although nearly half a million Latinx live in Michigan, there is no cohesive statewide effort to report, monitor, and demand justice for anti-Latina/o/x incidents. As a result, hate crimes and bias incidents are underreported in our communities, and victims and their families lack resources and support. As of October 2017, LLEAD had already seen and intervened in hate crimes and bias incidents in Lansing, DeWitt, Royal Oak, Saginaw, and Holland, and more surface each month. Our undocumented community members are especially vulnerable during this time, as they may fear that reporting crimes to the police will lead to arrest and deportation. The same is true for our LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer) community members, who are protected by federal but not state anti-discrimination laws in Michigan. Even those LGBTQ federal protections are being challenged, whittled down, and often undermined or reversed altogether.
We believe that Crisis Response Teams (CRTs) are the best way to prevent and prepare for hate crimes and bias incidents against the Latinx community. With your help, we will create a grassroots network of local Latinx leaders and advocates across the state of Michigan to provide a swift, effective, community-based response that supports the victim(s), advocates for change, and empowers the Latinx community. The LLEAD Crisis Response System Manual (CRS) will prepare you to respond to anti-Latinx bias incidents and hate crimes in your community. This manual will discuss the following:
- What is a crisis response system?
- What is a hate crime or bias incident?
- How should I respond to a crisis?
- Who in my community can I call on for support?
Click here to download The Official Crisis Response Manual