Dozens of celebrities came out in support of the Asian
American community, condemning the recent surge in anti-Asian violence after
eight people were killed this week in shootings at Atlanta. The perpetrators
particularly targeted Asian-owned businesses in that area.
Gigi Hadid, Gemma Chan, Margaret Cho, Shonda Rhimes, Lin-Manuel,
George Takei, Daniel Dae Kim and other celebrities have responded to the
outrageous attacks, which left eight people dead, including six women of Asian
community.
On Tuesday, Atlanta authorities arrested a culprit named
Robert Aon, 21 of Woodstock, Ga., who has confessed to killing the victims.
“Please pay attention to what is happening,” wrote Marvel and
“Crazy Rich Asians” star on his Instagram account. “Racism and misogyny are not
mutually exclusive. In fact, sexualized racial harassment and violence is
something that many of us face regularly.”
“We need to stop the dehumanization of Asians. We need to stop
the scapegoating of Asians for COVID. We need to unite against all forms of
hate. Please spread awareness, check in your Asian friends because we are not
ok… educate yourself and others on the model minority myth and the long history
of anti-Asian racism… Please don’t be silent,” the actor wrote.
Co, Star Trek actor and comedian, was also among those who
spoke against the attack. He emphasized that others should consider the attacks
as hate crimes. He condemned Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds’ statement
that the Atlanta attacks “did not appear to be” motivated by racism.
Activists have highlighted many factors that contributed to
the surge in anti-Asian crimes during the pandemic, including xenophobic
history related to Asian communities, along with significant political figures
such as Donald Trump’s deliberate use of racist rhetoric to describe
coronavirus.
During his public statements, Trump was repeatedly dubbing
coronavirus as “Chinese virus,” insinuating that it is originated or caused by
Chinese people.
According to a report published by Stop AAPI Hate, about 3,795
racially-motivated attacks have been occurred since the start of the pandemic
and the number is likely much higher, as many have been gone unreported.
“Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or
he just happened to go9 to three different Asian establishments, miles apart,
with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these
murders,” Star Trek star, George Takei tweeted. “The best thing can do today is
to keep out against violence toward Asians in this country, especially if you
yourself are not Asian.”
“I am so angry and full of grief because of what happened
yesterday,” said Cho, who was also a resident of Atlanta for seven years. “It
is a hate crime. When you kill [six] Asian women, it’s a hate crime. I don’t
know why that’s even a question. This is terrorism, and this is a hate crime.
Stop killing us.”
Lana Condor, the “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” and “To All the Boys
I’ve loved before” actress, also took to social media, urging fans to keep
checking up on your grieving Asian friends and loved ones.
“Wake up! Your Asian friends and family are deeply scared,
horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry…. Please please please stand
with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren’t publicly
grieving on social media.”
Here’s how other celebrities reacted to the violent attacks on
the Asian community:
I’m angry. This is terrorism. This is a hate crime. Stop killing us. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/rZghXp4nOQ
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) March 17, 2021
Wake up… your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry. Please please please check in on us, please please please stand with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren’t publicly grieving on social media. x
— Lana Condor (@lanacondor) March 17, 2021
Thank you. This video from @nowthisnews first appeared a few weeks ago, but applies all too directly to yesterday’s events in #Atlanta #StopAsianHate https://t.co/ceFLPRVq65
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 17, 2021
I will be speaking to the Congressional House Committee on the Judiciary about the Rise of Discrimination & Violence Against Asian Americans TOMORROW, Thurs, March 18th at 10AM EDT. You can watch it live at the link below. Please join me, and help #StopAsianHate. #Atlanta https://t.co/w9duQf8EFv
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 17, 2021
How much longer are we going to tolerate, a word I never use, this madness of hate to continue!? #StopAsianHate
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) March 17, 2021
A CRIME AGAINST ANY COMMUNITY IS A CRIME AGAINST US ALL
RIP TO THE ASIAN WOMEN KILLED#StopAsianHate https://t.co/sZmtQuaJt7
— RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) March 17, 2021
Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go to three different Asian establishments, miles apart, with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these murders.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 17, 2021
Last night was an act of pure racist hatred. This is very personal to me as a mom of a child who is both Black & Asian. But it shouldn’t have to be personal to know its wrong. Speak up. Hashtags are nice but actions save lives. Standing w/ the AAPI community. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/Rtx1b2AZW9
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 17, 2021
Asians are not a monolith.
The continent includes around 48 countries and 3 territories, all with unique cultures, food customs and traditions.
But a racist attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. #StopAsianHate
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) March 17, 2021
We need to take decisive aim at our gun laws & enact sensible reforms to ensure that those with hate-filled hearts are no longer armed to destroy lives. It’s time we put safety on the agenda in America. #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate https://t.co/T28bvAKpL6
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) March 17, 2021
To everyone amplifying #StopAsianHate today…
We see you and we appreciate you.
— TZE THEE CHUN (@thetzechun) March 17, 2021
I’m heartbroken to hear about this tragedy. The AAPI community across the country is frightened by these acts of violence. We have to strengthen our resolve and act against such blind hatred. Tonight we stand in solidarity with victims and their families. #StopAsianHate https://t.co/r34B3xnUnQ
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) March 17, 2021
Singer John Legend stated that the attacks were downright
“absolutely horrible,” and that the country “needs to reckon with the increased
threats being directed at our Asian-American brothers and sisters.”
The Atlanta shooting incident is a recent one in a serious of
attacks against Asian-American community. On 11th March this year, a
75-year-old man from Hong Kong was killed after being physically assaulted
during his morning walk. The culprit had a history of targeting elderly Asians.
In another similar incident, an 81 year old from Thailand was killed
after being forcefully pulled down on the ground when he was casually walking
in his neighborhood in San Francisco. Similarly, a 61 year old Filipino-American
man had his face lacerated upon confronting a man who kicked his tote bag.
Since the start of pandemic, individuals belonging from the Asian
community have been targeted and looked down upon, as if they are the only ones
responsible for the spread of coronavirus. But in reality, it is the West who is
still struggling to control the spread while China has been declared
coronavirus-free! It’s high time we should all stand against those xenophobic
individuals who endorse such hate crimes against the Asian community—or any
other community, for that matter.
For more information about this news, make sure to like our
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#StopAsianHate now!