Sánchez Condemns Anti-Asian Hate Crimes, Calls for Healing and Justice
WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38) today released the following statement condemning the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide. Additionally, she offered resources for constituents in California to report hate crimes in their communities.
"The violence and hatred against the Asian-American community in California and across the country is deeply saddening and entirely unacceptable," said Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez. "We've seen an alarming increase in xenophobic attacks since the pandemic began, ranging from verbal harassment and physical assaults to last week's deadly shooting in Atlanta that left six women of Asian descent dead."
Sánchez continued: "This hatred didn't come out of nowhere. Make no mistake: the racist rhetoric used by former President Trump and other Republicans to describe COVID-19 directly contributed to the rise in anti-Asian attacks we are witnessing today. But it is on us to turn the page. It is on us to be so much better than that."
"Over 3,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate were reported last year alone, primarily against women. And in LA County this past Sunday, a man drove through a group of protesters hurling racists insults, simply because they were calling out discrimination in our very own communities."
"I stand with our Asian-American and Pacific Islander community in Southern California and across the country. If you see or hear something, say something, and use the resources available to report hate crimes. Now is the time to come together and heal as a nation. We can't do that without first delivering justice and standing up for our AAPI neighbors."
Reporting hate crimes in California
If you are a victim or have witnessed a hate crime, please call 911 and contact local law enforcement for help. You should also contact the Los Angeles FBI Field Office by calling (310) 477-6565.
More resources for reporting a hate crime can be found here.
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