The tragic shooting that left six Asian women dead in Atlanta last week was only the latest (and most violent) incident of anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S.
Since the pandemic began about one year ago, anti-Asian attacks have risen 150% in the country, and by 833% specifically in NYC. And these estimates likely don’t even cover the full measure of racist violence, as many crimes are not reported out of fear or language barriers. [featured image source: Instagram / @eastjakefoot]
This weekend, New Yorkers once again came together to make their voices heard — denouncing anti-Asian violence and standing up for their local communities.
There was a peace vigil in Union Square on Friday evening, held by the Asian American Federation. A few hundred people gathered, including Senator Chuck Schumer, lighting candles and honoring the eight people killed last week: Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Yong Ae Yue, Soon Chung Park, Suncha Kim, Hyun Jung Grant, Delaina Yaun, and Paul Andre Michels.
To mourn, to rage, to remember them, to give no quarter to white supremacy or misogyny, to demand the resources that Asian communities (and all communities) need to thrive.
Thank you @AAFederation for bringing New Yorkers together in solidarity tonight. pic.twitter.com/QUu1Bgr8Pz
— Brad Lander (@bradlander) March 19, 2021
On Saturday, SafeWalks NYC — which ensures New Yorkers have a safe walk home at night through a network of volunteer “walking buddies” — led a march from Times Square to Chinatown.
And on Sunday, there was a “Black & Asian Solidarity Rally and Run” by Running to Protest. “This Sunday, we continue to bridge cultural gaps. This Sunday, we talk about anti-Asian racism,” they wrote in their announcement. “This Sunday, we acknowledge yet again the power of representation…we’ll come together to learn about efforts to heal our communities since the COVID-19 pandemic began by listening to personal experiences and education on plans in place to cultivate change.”
There will likely be other gatherings planned in the days ahead; @justiceforgeorgenyc and NYC Protest Updates usually share them.