As we mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly shootings of eight people in spas and massage parlors in Atlanta, Georgia – six of whom were Asian American women – the Lebanon Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Commission would like to acknowledge the trauma of the recent surge in violence against the Asian American community.
One in five Asian Americans have experienced a hate incident during the past year—an increase of 339% over the previous year.
Just in the past two weeks, New York City has seen the murder of an Asian American woman in Chinatown, a two-hour spree of assault against seven Asian American women in Manhattan and, just two days ago, the vicious beating of an elderly Asian American woman in Yonkers. These are but recent examples of a two-year spike in unprovoked, violent attacks on the Asian American community.
Since the Covid-19 pandemic began in March 2020, Asian Americans have reported over 10,905 hate incidents, including harassment, avoidance or shunning, physical assault, online hate, being coughed at or spat upon, a hostile work environment, graffiti and vandalism, denial of service, and being barred from transportation.
The DEI Commission extends our deepest concern and sympathy for the Asian American members of the Lebanon community who may be experiencing fear and discomfort in the wake of these ongoing attacks.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of a hate crime, we encourage you to reach out to a trusted source of support. In addition to contacting the local police, you may contact the 24-hour hotline operated by the Attorney General’s Office at 603-271-1241. For more information on how to report, educate, and engage on these issues, also see stopaapihate.org.