President Joe Biden signs the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law.Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty
PresidentJoe Bidensigned new legislation Thursday attempting to stem hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
“Hate can be given no safe harbor in America,” Biden, 78, said before signing the bill. “It can’t be dismissed like, ‘Oh, that’s just what happens.’ My sister Valerie and I talk about it all the time. We’ve got to speak up.”
“There are simple core values and beliefs that should bring us together as Americans. One of them is standing together against hate, against racism — the ugly poison that has long haunted and plagued our nation,” the president added, emphasizing how “proud” he was that “Republicans and Democrats stood up together to say something.”
Under the new legislation, the Department of Justice will speed up reviews of reported hate crimes. The DOJ will also set up a national online hotline where those crimes can be more easily reported. The law will also appoint an official to oversee the effort at the DOJ.
In addition, the bill will provide grants to states to allow them to set up similar hotlines, while also calling on the DOJ and the Department of Health and Human Services to issue public information in an effort to raise awareness about the rise in hate crimes amid theCOVID-19 pandemic.
President Joe Biden.NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty
President Joe Biden.
“History will remember this day and this moment when our nation took action to combat hate,” Vice PresidentKamala Harrissaid, speaking before Biden.
“This bill brings us one step closer to stopping hate, not only for Asian Americans but all Americans,” Harris, 56, said.
Vice President Kamala Harris.NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP via Getty
Awareness about the rise in hate crimes rose significantly nationwide after the deadlyGeorgia spa shootingin March, which left eight people dead, including six Asian women.
A week later, Sen.Mazie Hironointroduced the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in the Senate.
On Wednesday, during a speech at theAAPI Unity Summit, Harris said, “In America, I do believe a harm against any one of us. is a harm against all of us. Asian Americans have the right to be recognized as American, not as the other. Not as ‘them,’ but as ‘us.’ "
If you’ve been attacked or have witnessed an attack, please contact your local authorities. You can also report your incidenthere. To learn more and to report crimes, go to:Asian Americans Advancing Justice,Stop the AAPI Hate,National Council of Asian Pacific Americans,Asian Americans Advancing Justice-LA, andAsian Pacific Policy & Planning Council.
source: people.com
