Asian Americans living in Minnesota are outraged and in pain after a shooting in Atlanta left 8 people dead.
“These women were targeted because of the fact that they were Asian,” said Nick Kor, Senior Manager of Movement Building at the Coalition of Asian American Leaders, “There are some conversations out in the media right now that that was not the case but you know three businesses owned by Asian Americans were targeted and six Asian women are now dead because of that and so it is very clear that this was racism and xenophobia and misogyny and we want to make sure that's clear.”
He said he feels like everything that has happened this year, has led up to this tragic shooting. In Minnesota, his office has received a number of complaints from people who were harassed or even assaulted because they were Asian, and some people believe that the Chinese are responsible for the pandemic.
“People have left notes on the homes of Asian Americans in Minnesota, and have burned slurs into their lawns,” he said. “There are elders too who are being targeted,. They live in a building that we know of, and when they go out for walks they are called Corona, every time they walk outside.”
He said for too long people have ignored their concerns, perhaps now this tragedy will lead to some change, and encouraged people to do their part and speak up if they see someone harassing an Asian person.
They are also supporting a bill in the Minnesota legislature that would strengthen hate crime laws in the state.