Biden Says Rise in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes is ‘Un-American and It Must Stop’

Biden Says Rise in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes is ‘Un-American and It Must Stop’
Ryan General
March 12, 2021
President Joe Biden has condemned the rising number of attacks on Asian Americans during his Thursday night’s address to the nation on the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Biden called the hate crimes “vicious” and “un-American” in his speech which coincides with the anniversary of the first pandemic shutdowns. 
“At this very moment, so many of them, our fellow Americans, they’re on the front lines of this pandemic trying to save lives, and still, still, they’re forced to live in fear for their lives just walking down streets in America,” he said. “It’s wrong, it’s un-American and it must stop.”
The message comes as Asian Americans across the country continue to be on the receiving end of attacks ranging from verbal insults to violent crimes.
By the end of last year, advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate had received more than 2,800 reports of hate crimes and incidents, most likely not reflective of the true numbers since these were self-reported.
Police department numbers showed an almost 150% increase in violence against Asian Americans from 2019 to 2020, NextShark previously reported.
 
Biden had earlier signed an executive order condemning anti-Asian racism amid the pandemic days into his inauguration.
The order comes with a directive to the Department of Justice to increase efforts in addressing hate crimes and harassment against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Advocates have partly attributed the anti-Asian hate to the rhetoric used by Donald Trump when he was president.
Do you have a hate incident to report? Help us document the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans by going to STOP AAPI HATE to report an incident. Please stay safe out there.
Feature Image via WFAA
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