For 2023 the FBI documented the highest number of hate crimes ever reported, with record numbers of crimes directed against Hispanics, Jews, Arabs, gays and lesbians, and trans people. Crimes against Black people were most numerous – as they have been every year since the FBI began collecting this data in 1991.

For more than 30 years, the U.S. Conference of Mayors has been a leading voice supporting programs and initiatives to address hate violence in our nation, including vigorous promotion of inclusive and comprehensive law enforcement hate crime data collection and training initiatives. The U.S. Conference of Mayors has taken action to help mayors speak out against these incidents when they occur and to reduce and prevent them in the future.

Mayor David Holt of Oklahoma City, U.S. Conference of Mayors President, leads this work.

This page highlights actions mayors have taken collectively through the Conference and offers information that should be helpful to them in their efforts to combat hate and extremism in their cities.

Leadership

Miami Mayor Francis X. Suarez

Mayor David Holt
USCM President
Leader | Oklahoma City Declaration

Resources

Hate and Extremism

The Oklahoma City Declaration

In a powerful show of political unity and stewardship, more than 40 Republican, Democratic and Independent U.S. mayors signed the Oklahoma City Declaration September 26, 2025, to de-escalate our politics and reject violence and dehumanizing rhetoric. The mayors signed the agreement at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, the site of the deadliest act of domestic political violence in living memory, as members of the U.S. Conference of Mayors gathered in the city for their annual fall leadership meeting.

In the 10-point Declaration, the mayors celebrated America’s democracy as “an outlier in human history” and an “alternative to political violence” that has “unleashed unprecedented freedom, prosperity and innovation upon the entire world.” They also acknowledged its fragility, however, saying it requires three fundamental values: pluralism, compromise and persuasion through debate. Without a commitment to these qualities, our unique form of government drifts toward dehumanization and, ultimately, violence.

Mayors have continued to sign the Oklahoma City Declaration since then and 245 have now done so.

Mayors’ Compact on To Combat Hate and Extremism

In the troubling days following the violent and deadly white supremacist demonstrations in Charlottesville, VA in August 2017, more than 325 mayors signed a Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate, Extremism and Bigotry, a 10-point pledge to work toward inclusive and compassionate cities drafted by the Conference of Mayors in conjunction with the Anti-Defamation League.

With the years that followed marred by numerous instances of hate and violent extremism in cities across the nation, the Compact was updated by the Conference and ADL in September 2022 and immediately signed by a large group of mayors in a renewal of their commitment to confront the growing threat to democracy that these incidents represent. The updated Mayors’ Compact to Combat Hate and Extremism was presented at The White House by Oklahoma Mayor David Holt during the mayors’ panel of the United We Stand Summit held on September 15, 2022.

Anti-Defamation League

Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Department of Justice

Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, Georgetown Law

Leadership Council on Civil and Human Rights

Not in Our Town

Southern Poverty Law Center

Anti-Asian Hate

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC Analysis of Preliminary 2025 FBI Data

Published April 17, 2026, the AAJC Analysis of Preliminary 2025 FBI Data shows persistent and emerging threats against Asian Americans and their faith traditions, and Latino communities.

Anti-Asian Hate in 2024 Analysis and Recommendations for Change

Published in November 2025, Anti-Asian Hate in 2024 Analysis and Recommendations for Change offers a comprehensive analysis of the 2024 FBI Hate Crimes data, contextualized by regional trends, offense types, and the sociopolitical drivers that shaped the year. It also highlights the alarming rise in hate crimes targeting Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, and the intersectional nature of anti-Asian hate, particularly where race and religion converge.

Antisemitism

Statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors on Antisemitic Murder of Two Israeli Embassy Staffers in Washington, DC

HERE is a statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors President Columbus Mayor Andrew Ginther on the recent murder of a diplomat and U.S. employee from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, DC.

Mayors’ Statement in Support of Jewish American Heritage Month

Since 2023, mayors have pledged each to observe May as Jewish American Heritage Month in their cities. HERE is the statement and the current list of mayors who signed it.

The State of Antisemitism in America 2025

Released February 10 2026, the American Jewish Committee’s State of Antisemitism in America 2025 Report shows that in 2025 the rise of antisemitism had a profound impact on how American Jews are living their everyday lives. More than half of American Jews are continuing to change behaviors due to fear of antisemitism, online antisemitism has reached the highest level ever recorded by AJC’s survey, and a majority of American Jews are concerned that AI will spread antisemitism and lead to incidents.

Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024

On April 22, 2025, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) released its Audit of Antisemitic Incidents 2024, its annual tracking of incidents of antisemitic harassment, vandalism and assault in the United States. In 2024, ADL tabulated 9,354 antisemitic incidents across the United States. This represents a 5% increase from the 8,873 incidents recorded in 2023, a 344% increase over the past five years and a 893% increase over the past 10 years. It is the highest number on record since ADL began tracking antisemitic incidents 46 years ago.

Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism

AJC and The U.S. Conference of Mayors have partnered on “A Mayor’s Guide to Countering Antisemitism: Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.” Mayors are often on the front line of combating antisemitism, protecting Jewish communities, and supporting American values. The guide provides suggestions for actions mayors can take to implement the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Antisemitism.

Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism

On January 29, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order declaring that “it shall be the policy of the United States to combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.” The order also specifies additional measures to combat campus anti-semitism.

Mayors United Against Antisemitism

In 2021 more than 500 mayors across the United States joined a national effort to combat antisemitism led by The U.S. Conference of Mayors and AJC. The two organizations, which have partnered on other projects, called on mayors across the country to sign a statement declaring that antisemitism is incompatible with fundamental democratic values. A full list of mayors can be found HERE.

Islamophobia

Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate

America Indivisible and the U.S. Conference of Mayors have partnered on “A Mayor’s Guide to Countering Islamophobia: Implementing the U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate.” The guide provides suggested actions mayors can take to combat Islamophobia and anti-Arab hate through education, policy reform, and community engagement while fostering inclusion and equity.

U.S. National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate

On December 12, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration released the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia and Anti-Arab Hate. The Strategy contains more than 100 Executive Branch Actions and more than 100 Calls to Action to every sector of society to ensure that Muslim and Arab Americans enjoy the liberties and opportunities that are the bedrock of our country.