The US Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reported Monday that the number of hate crimes in the United States has increased to its highest level in 12 years in 2020, driven by an increase in assaults on Black and Asian people.

Last year, the federal agency recorded 7,759 hate crimes, a tumultuous year marked by a global pandemic, a divisive presidential election, and economic upheaval. The total was up 6% from last year and the highest since 2008 when 7,783 hate crimes were reported.

The number of attacks has increased for the sixth time in the last seven years. According to federal data, the number of reported hate crimes has increased by nearly 42% since 2014.

Attacks on African American people increased from 1,930 to 2,755, while attacks on Asian people increased from 158 to 274. These figures come as civil rights organizations warn of growing hostility toward minorities in the face of rising white nationalism and an increase in violent crime across the country.

Attorney General Merrick Garland announced that “these hate crimes and other bias-related incidents instill fear throughout entire communities and undermine the principles upon which our democracy is founded.”