Anti-Asian Hate Crimes Increase during Pandemic

 

Vice of America reports that at least 2,100 anti-Asian hate incidents have been reported in the United States since March. Asian-American activists say the racism is being fueled in part by political speeches against China in connection with the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Los Angeles-based Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (APPC) is a coalition of organizations that support the rights and needs of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. The organization is gathering reports called Stop AAPI Hate of incidents against Asian-Americans.

There have been other reports of a rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans during the pandemic.

The APPC reports says most of the incidents were cases of hate speech, like racial insults. But it said about 8 percent involved physical attacks, including spitting on victims and bans against Asians from businesses.

KJ