PITTSBURGH — Less than a week after eight people, including six Asian-American women, were killed in multiple shooting in Atlanta, vigils were held across the country to show support for the victims and their loved ones.
One of those vigils happened in downtown Pittsburgh Sunday evening.
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Passionate speakers took to the podium on the steps of the city-county building, reading the names of each of the victims and sharing personal stories of how racism against Asians has affected them.
The vigil was backed by city leaders, including Mayor Bill Peduto.
“Today, we stand together in order to be able... not only to call out what happened, but to demand change,” Peduto said.
Speakers said since the COVID-19 pandemic started last March, the hate crimes and racism have only gotten worse.
“It is not fair to place blame on any race or ethnicity because of a global pandemic situation,” said Jenny Warburton. “We’re here, we’re people, we matter.”
Warburton’s daughter is a college student, who said she is afraid to even walk across campus because of her ethnicity.
Sunday’s vigil was about comfort -- to let the Asian community know there are people who care. People from all different backgrounds came to help stop the hate.
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