Asian Americans across the country are coming together on the second anniversary of the Atlanta massacre to mourn the loss of their loved ones, show solidarity, and demand action against the ongoing issues facing their community. The “Always With Us: Asian Americans Rise Against Hate” events will be held in Atlanta, Denver, Detroit, New York, and San Francisco on March 16, 2023. The events will feature Asian American leaders, activists, and community members highlighting the strength and resilience of the Asian American community.
The events will include speeches and performances from prominent individuals such as Gwinnett District Attorney Patsy Austin-Gaston, Georgia State Rep. Minority Whip Sam Park, Rise founder and Nobel Prize nominee Amanda Nguyen, and musician Wolftyla. Robert Peterson, the son of Yong Ae Yue, a victim of the March 16, 2021 Atlanta Spa shootings, called for all people to support the fight against hate, emphasizing the importance of fighting for visibility, collective values, and community safety.
The rise of anti-Asian hate and rhetoric has fueled violence against the community. A survey by the Pew Research Center found that over a third of Asian Americans made changes to their daily routines due to worry about being threatened or attacked, and only 19% believed their local elected officials were doing a good job dealing with violence against Asian Americans. AAPI Data found that nearly 3 million AAPI adults had experienced a hate incident within a year. With events being held in major cities, the rallies aim to bring attention to the ongoing issues facing the Asian American community and encourage solidarity from non-AAPI allies.
Stand with Asian Americans, the largest coalition of Asian American entrepreneurs, investors, business leaders, and activists, is co-organizing the events with partners such as APAs vs. Hate, Asian Leaders Alliance, and Chinatown Volunteer Coalition. The coalition hopes to drive justice and equity for all and inspire the next generation of Asian American activism. The rallies’ date, time, and location details are available on the “Always With Us” website.
Source: www.blackstarnews.com