Civil rights groups detail to lawmakers ongoing hate targeting Asian Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Discrimination and hate targeting Asian Americans, which has spiked since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, was a topic of discussion on Capitol Hill Thursday.

Asian American civil rights groups provided emotional and personal testimony to lawmakers.

Manjusha Kulkarni of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council said comments like “Go back to Wuhan and take the virus with you” have become all too common.

The groups condemned the anti-Asian rhetoric that former president Trump used publicly.

“We are still seen as the other. Not to be trusted and to be feared,” said John Yang of Asian Americans Advancing Justice.

There have been 3,800 hate incidents reported against Asian Americans in the last year - mostly against women.

That’s according to the nonprofit group Stop AAPI Hate.

It’s an alarming reality highlighted this week by the shootings at Georgia spas which left six Asian American women and two white people dead.

Investigators have not yet released details on a motive in the shootings.

“What started out last January as dirty looks and verbal assaults has escalated to physical attacks and violence against Asian Americans,” said Rep. Judy Chu (D-California)

This week, New York congresswoman Grace Meng introduced a resolution in the House to denounce the racism against Asian Americans.

“Misinformation and racism have left Asian Americans traumatized and fearful for their lives,” she said.

The resolution also demands investigations into coronavirus-related hate crimes.

Elderly Asian woman attacked sends alleged assailant to hospital (NCD)