A big crowd of Asian Americans and their supporters rallied outside of San Francisco's Hall of Justice on Monday calling for an end to violent attacks against their community.
The rally highlights an alarming number of attacks on Asians nationwide.
The crowd was specifically there for a court appearance by 19-year-old Antoine Watson of Daly City, charged with the unprovoked body slam of 84-year-old Vicha Ratanpakdee of San Francisco in January. The victim was killed.
"Public safety is not just for people who can pay for it, it is for everyone," said longtime Bay Area prosecutor and public safety advocate Nancy Tung.
Thai American Catherine Poshepny knew Ratanpakdee.
"We don’t deserve to get attacked because somebody is saying that this virus is caused because of Asians," Poshepny told the crowd.
It's one of several similar events across the Bay Area and country.
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