hate crime

Pelosi, House Dems Call for Action on Hate Incidents Targeting Asian Americans

The lawmakers called on Congress to pass legislation to provide Department of Justice grants to state and local governments to improve the reporting of hate crimes and greater support to victims

U.S. Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) and Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) appear at a news conference with Democratic lawmakers on Capitol Hill, July 25, 2018, in Washington, D.C.
Al Drago/Getty Images (File)

Asian American lawmakers, along with Speaker Nancy Pelosi and other House Democrats, denounced on Friday a rise in hate incidents targeting members of the Asian community across the country and called for stronger action — both by Congress and the Biden administration, NBC News reported.

The lawmakers called on Congress to pass legislation to provide Department of Justice grants to state and local governments to improve the reporting of hate crimes and greater support to victims, and to hold hearings on the rise in incidents. They also said they are requesting a meeting with the Justice Department to follow up on enforcement actions, including investigating such crimes and engaging with the Asian American community.

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., chairwoman of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, said at the virtual press conference, “What started as dirty looks and verbal assaults has escalated to physical attacks and violence against innocent Asian Americans."

Lawmakers said while former President Donald Trump isn’t entirely responsible for provoking attacks against members of the Asian community, he spread anti-Asian sentiment through his rhetoric over the last year about the origin of the coronavirus in China.

Read the full story at NBCNews.com.

Contact Us