Manhattan Beach families are standing up against recent hate crimes against the Asian American/Pacific Islander community.

An effort led by two Manhattan Beach residents will culminate on April 24 with driveway messages and window signs across town showing statements of compassion and solidarity.

"After learning that my neighbor grocery shops for a South Bay friend who is fearful to leave her home after being harassed with anti-Asian slurs, and that two other friends feel anxious while doing the activities they would normally think nothing of, I realized our Manhattan Beach Asian American and Pacific Islander community needs to know their neighbors stand with them against Asian hate," said Kaplan. "By writing messages of solidarity and compassion in our driveways, it is our hope that our neighbors and friends out on walks will feel supported knowing that hate is not welcome here in Manhattan Beach."

The campaign is encouraging Manhattan Beach families to share the following messages of support (adapted from the LA vs. Hate campaign) on their driveways and in their windows on April 24:

• Stand Together Against Asian American Hate
• I Stand with Asian Americans/ Our Family Stands with Asian Americans
• End Violence Against Asians
• Stop AAPI Hate
• Manhattan Beach vs. Hate
• Hate Not Tolerated Here
• Everyone Deserves Respect

On social media, the hashtags include #StopAsianHate, #MBAgainstHate, and #StopAAPIHate.

After deciding to take action, Kaplan teamed up with her neighbor Emma Hite for initial planning.

Kaplan reached out to the Manhattan Beach Police Department with her concerns, and then got more information from the city of Manhattan Beach about the LA vs Hate campaign and Manhattan Beach's United Against Hate Week proclamation issued in November. The city has partnered with LA vs. Hate and created a MB vs. Hate campaign - and is continuing to work with Kaplan.

MBUSD school board member Jason Boxer also offered early support in the planning process and connected Kaplan with fellow Manhattan Beach resident Diana Skaar.

"As a Thai-American who has experienced racism from as early as elementary school, the death of Vicha Ratanapakdee really struck a chord. He could have been my dad," said Skaar. "But like many Asian-Americans, I internalized that pain because we have been raised to keep our heads down and not make noise. In that silence, I've thought a lot about the healing power of ally-ship. It has made me realize how something as simple as a message of support - with no expectation to respond back - can mean the world."