Dozens of people rallied in San Leandro on Sunday morning in response to ongoing incidents of hate and violence against Asian Americans.
"We know we are dealing with a full frontal assault on our AAPI community," California Attorney General Rob Bonta explained to those in attendance at the event as he returned to his former district where he served as a state legislator prior to his appointment.
In response to the rise of anti-Asian crimes and violence, one of Bonta first acts was the creation of a racial justice bureau which he explained "will be specifically to house anti hate efforts, to stand up for our AAPI community."
The event took place outside the San Leandro Library and brought together different faith, education and community groups.
It was organized by "Community Impact Lab," a San Leandro based non-profit, which "strives to be a force for action and to expand opportunities that everyone, especially women and children, have to be impactful," according to its website.
"Community Impact Lab is built upon the foundation that all of us have the potential to thrive but there are barriers in our way and we can play a role in removing those," CEO Xouhoa Bowen said at the rally.
While Bowen acknowledged there needs to be continued pressure on politicians and law enforcement to address issues of hate, her main goal is to empower the community from within.
"You need to speak up and stand up," she said. "We have a table over here with information about bystander training so you can all be up standers so that nobody’s silent when you see something."
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