San Francisco leaders gathered Sunday for a rally decrying the continued rise in attacks against the Asian American community, one of six other similar demonstrations nationwide.
Sunday's rally marked a year since the killing of 84-year-old Thai American, Vicha Ratanapakdee, in front of his home. The San Francisco march retraced his steps on his final day alive.
Those attending called for greater accountability for those that commit such crimes.
"This is what's going to bring us together and keep us together despite what people try to do to tear us apart," said Mayor London Breed to the hundreds of demonstrators gathered.
The rally comes just after a report by the San Francisco Police Department was released last week that showed hate crimes against people of Asian descent had skyrocketed this past year by more than 500%.
"We know, when you add hundreds upon hundreds, thousands upon thousands of incidents, these are not coincidences," said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. "This is racism."
Along with the march, a moment of silence was held at the San Francisco demonstration along with two cellists, at the site where Ratanapakdee was killed.
"We need safety for everyone in San Francisco," said Ratanapakdee's daughter, Monthanus Ratanapakdee, at the rally. "We all have a right to stay safe and be able to walk in our neighborhood without fear."
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