In responding to the rising hate crimes against Asian-Americans, over 20 communities across the country organized synchronized #StopAsianHate rallies to call for solidarity. Massachusetts’ gathering began in the Boston Common at 4 p.m. Sunday, attracting hundreds of supporters and residents. The speakers included Mayor Kim Janey, city council member-at-large and mayoral candidate Michelle Wu, city council member of District 2 Ed Flynn, and Chief of Economic Development and mayoral candidate John Barros. The event was started in Emcee Linda Champion’s inclusive tone and wrapped up by its co-chair Ryan Doan Nguyen’s message of solidarity against rising hate crimes.
A study by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San Bernardino shows that Anti-Asian hate crimes reported to police in 16 of America’s largest cities and counties rose 164% in the first quarter of 2021 in comparison to the first quarter of 2020. According to Pew Research Center, one-third of Asian Americans fear threats and physical attacks. Furthermore, 80% of respondents perceive that violence against them is rising. Most other studies show marked increases, possibly accounted for by the difference between occurrence and reporting or between assaults and hate crimes, as defined by law.
“We believe in diversity and unity. We must show up. Stuff might happen as we’ve seen in New York and California. The hate crimes could happen to anyone — just last week right here in Boston. We want everyone to know, no matter where you are, we stand with you,” said Johnson Prak, founder of Every Asian-American Ally Stands Together (EAST). The movement, with a big contingent from Lowell, sent many members to participate in the rally.
Manny Chong, co-chair of this event, noted Wilson Lee prodded him, “He spearheaded this and said, ‘Hey I really want to see the younger generation step up.” In fact, Chong has been involved in organizing other rallies earlier in the pandemic, too.
“What really sparked a lot of outrage, for me and I’m sure for many others, is the fact that our elders are being attacked — our most vulnerable. This wasn’t just some sort of injustice — it’s personal. This is an attack on our identity because as Asians, we really value and cherish our elders. They were the ones that raised us. So for us to see this consistent pattern of attacks of Asian elders, I can’t help but think that’s my grandmother, my grandpa, that’s going to be my mom or dad in 10, 15 years. So that prompted me to take a stand and do something about it. It’s a beautiful thing to see so many familiar faces here.”
Chong also noted the diversity of these rallies has grown, “It’s beautiful to see so many familiar faces, unfortunately, out of the injustices. East Asian, South Asian, Indian… the diaspora is being more acknowledged. We have similarities but still very distinct cultures and histories. I have never seen this sort of diversity coming together; it’s an opportunity.”
Photographer and transracial adoptee Tina Zhu Xi Caruso said, “I was so happy to hear speakers talk about adoptees, Linda Champion talked about Korean adoptees. Ryan talked about including adoptees in the Stop Asian Hate movement.” Caruso believes that the rally is changing the landscape of the public discourse by shedding more light on transracial adoptees.
Children sang. At many points in the program, yellow whistles were distributed and the crowd was encouraged to blow those whistles. City councilors and mayoral candidates pledged their commitment to “stop Asian hate.” Toward the end of the program, the emcee evoked the words of MLK to underscore the need to drive out hate with love and to stand with India, especially since 70% live in rural areas, suffering from lack of health care and the impact of COVID-19.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that,” the quote from Martin Luther King. Jr. reads.
“It was deeply meaningful to see people from all across the city come together to stand together against anti-Asian hate and racism,” Michelle Wu later said to the press. “We must continue to speak out and build awareness, strengthening our commitment across communities to make Boston a city for everyone.”
At the rally, Wu spoke about the need to turn the communities’ energy into action. She highlighted passing data equity legislation at the state level, ensuring language access, fighting for workers’ protections, and starting early within the education system to include ethnic studies to ensure that every community’s histories are told.
“We are shocked, but we are not shattered!” The words of Reverend Gloria White Hammond reverberated in the air. She took the crowd to church, recounting many of the recent attacks on Asians and repeating the refrain after each, rousing the crowd.
