LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Public Library today expanded its participation in the citywide LA For All campaign that encourages Angelenos to view and embrace the city’s diversity as a strength and to speak against and report incidents and crimes of hate. Sponsored by the Civil + Human Rights and Equity Department (LA Civil Rights), the promotion is now at Central Library and 72 branch libraries throughout the city and features colorful posters with inclusive and unifying messages in 18 languages like “Los Angeles is for Everyone” and “I Belong. You Belong. We Belong.”
“We were honored to have the Los Angeles Public Library as an early partner in the LA For All campaign, and delighted to see this expansion today,” said LA Civil Rights Executive Director Capri Maddox. “Libraries are for everyone, and we want library visitors to know that L.A. is for everyone, too. We will not tolerate hate or discrimination in our city. We stand united against hate and in defense of our diverse communities.”
“The Los Angeles Public Library is committed to transforming and uniting communities," said City Librarian John F. Szabo. "We welcome everyone at the library and our staff strives to provide programs, resources and services that reflect the diversity of Los Angeles. We want library visitors to know we stand together with LA For ALL and that everyone deserves to feel welcome and safe."
The LA For All campaign first launched at the historic and landmark Central Library in downtown Los Angeles in May of 2021. Since that time, the campaign has been unveiled at L.A. City parks, the L.A. Zoo, LAX international airport and over 70 LAUSD schools. Hundreds of local small businesses and organizations have put up free LA For All posters in their storefronts through LA Civil Rights’ free poster request program, making the LA For All campaign the largest anti-hate campaign in Los Angeles city government history.
The Los Angeles Public Library, which serves the largest and most diverse population of any public library system in the United States, will display the LA For All posters at branch entrances and circulation desks. Anyone who has seen or experienced a hate incident is encouraged to report it by calling 911, 311 or 211. For more information and multilingual resources, visit LA For All: Stop Hate Resource Hub at civilandhumanrights.lacity.org/laforall.