New Yorkers rally against anti-Asian hate

Hundreds of demonstrators gathered in Lower Manhattan on Saturday to denounce the rise in anti-Asian bias incidents and attacks in New York City, Gothamist reports.  

Three hate crimes targeting Asian Americans were reported to the New York City Police Department in 2019. But that number rose to 28 in 2020 – and doesn’t include unreported crimes and incidents of bias that cannot be classified as hate crimes. The Asian American Federation – which organized the Rise Up Against Asian Hate rally this weekend – estimated that nearly 500 bias incidents and hate crimes have occurred since early last year, with the caveat that other cases go unreported. This can be fueled by numerous factors, such as distrust in law enforcement, fear of being scrutinized for one’s immigration status or shame.  

Attacks against Asian Americans have continued into 2021, including an incident last month where a man allegedly stabbed a 36-year-old Asian man in Chinatown. Though the NYPD said the suspect would be charged with a hate crime, no such charges have been filed to date. 

Elected officials such as state Attorney General Letitia James, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Rep. Grace Meng and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio condemned the increase in hate and violence targeting Asian Americans. 

James urged victims of such acts to report them. “Come to my office so that we can do something about it,” she told those assembled. “Come to my office, so that we can go after those individuals who hate us, and shut them down.”