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April 3-April 9, 2020
Meng’s resolution calls for action against
anti-Asian sentiment surrounding COVID-19
Scott LoBaido, 55, from Staten Island posts a large “Thank You” note dedicated to the health workers of the nearby Elmhurst
Hospital Center. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly
Vol. 29 No. 14 32 total pages
BY JENNA BAGCAL
A Queens lawmaker recently
introduced a resolution in Congress
following the increase in
hate crimes and anti-Asian rhetoric
surrounding COVID-19.
Congresswoman Grace
Meng’s resolution recognized
that public officials and law enforcement
had the responsibility
to “condemn and denounce any
and all anti-Asian sentiment in
any form.” According to Meng’s
office, a recent study revealed
that between February 9, 2020,
and March, 7 2020, there were
more than 400 reported cases
of anti-Asian discrimination related
to COVID-19 in the United
States.
“The increased use of anti-
Asian rhetoric, particularly
from our nation’s leaders such
as the President, and their use
of terms like ‘Chinese virus,’
‘Wuhan virus,’ and ‘Kung-flu,’ is
not only irresponsible, reckless,
and downright disgusting, it
threatens the safety of the Asian
American community; such language
demeans, disparages, and
scapegoats Asian Americans,”
said Meng.
The resolution called for
federal law enforcement, in cooperation
with state and local
officials to (1) “expeditiously
investigate” and document cred-
ible reports of hate crimes, incidents
and threats against Asian
Americans, (2) collect data
documenting the rise of hate
crimes and (3) hold perpetrators
accountable and bring them to
justice.
“Asian Americans, like millions
of others across the nation,
are worried about the coronavirus;
however, so many Asian
Americans are also living in
fear following the dramatic increase
of threats and attacks
against those of Asian descent,”
Meng said. “During this time
of heightened anxiety and fear
surrounding COVID-19, we cannot
lose sight of protecting the
health and safety of every single
person – no matter their race,
ethnicity, or background.”
There are approximately
23,000,000 Asian Americans and
Pacific Islanders in the U.S., accounting
for 7 percent of the nation’s
population. Over 200,000
Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders are working in essential
industries including health
care, law enforcement, transportation
and food service and
supermarkets.
Additionally, there has been
an increase in vandalism of
Asian American businesses,
which generate over $700 billion
in annual revenue and employ
nearly 4.5 million workers.
The World Health Organization
(WHO) and Centers for Disease
Control (CDC) recognized
that naming COVID-19 by its
geographic location or linking
it to specific ethnicities perpetuates
stigmas and provided guidance
to media, scientists and authorities
to avoid this practice.
The House must take a strong
stand against the sickening intolerance,
bigotry, and violence
that is leaving a terrible stain on
our nation’s history, especially
during this moment of an unprecedented
public health crisis,”
said Meng. “I am grateful to
my colleagues who introduced
this resolution with me today,
and for joining me in saying
loud and clear: xenophobia and
discrimination is absolutely unacceptable.”
Meng’s resolution has 124
co-sponsors in the U.S. House of
Representatives.
SALUTING OUR HEROES
/QNS.COM
