Dozens of celebrities came out in support of the Asian American community, condemning the recent surge in anti-Asian violence after eight people were killed this week in shootings at Atlanta. The perpetrators particularly targeted Asian-owned businesses in that area.
Gigi Hadid, Gemma Chan, Margaret Cho, Shonda Rhimes, Lin-Manuel, George Takei, Daniel Dae Kim and other celebrities have responded to the outrageous attacks, which left eight people dead, including six women of Asian community.
On Tuesday, Atlanta authorities arrested a culprit named Robert Aon, 21 of Woodstock, Ga., who has confessed to killing the victims.
“Please pay attention to what is happening,” wrote Marvel and “Crazy Rich Asians” star on his Instagram account. “Racism and misogyny are not mutually exclusive. In fact, sexualized racial harassment and violence is something that many of us face regularly.”
“We need to stop the dehumanization of Asians. We need to stop the scapegoating of Asians for COVID. We need to unite against all forms of hate. Please spread awareness, check in your Asian friends because we are not ok… educate yourself and others on the model minority myth and the long history of anti-Asian racism… Please don’t be silent,” the actor wrote.
Co, Star Trek actor and comedian, was also among those who spoke against the attack. He emphasized that others should consider the attacks as hate crimes. He condemned Cherokee County Sheriff Frank Reynolds’ statement that the Atlanta attacks “did not appear to be” motivated by racism.
Activists have highlighted many factors that contributed to the surge in anti-Asian crimes during the pandemic, including xenophobic history related to Asian communities, along with significant political figures such as Donald Trump’s deliberate use of racist rhetoric to describe coronavirus.
During his public statements, Trump was repeatedly dubbing coronavirus as “Chinese virus,” insinuating that it is originated or caused by Chinese people.
According to a report published by Stop AAPI Hate, about 3,795 racially-motivated attacks have been occurred since the start of the pandemic and the number is likely much higher, as many have been gone unreported.
“Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go9 to three different Asian establishments, miles apart, with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these murders,” Star Trek star, George Takei tweeted. “The best thing can do today is to keep out against violence toward Asians in this country, especially if you yourself are not Asian.”
“I am so angry and full of grief because of what happened yesterday,” said Cho, who was also a resident of Atlanta for seven years. “It is a hate crime. When you kill [six] Asian women, it’s a hate crime. I don’t know why that’s even a question. This is terrorism, and this is a hate crime. Stop killing us.”
Lana Condor, the “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” and “To All the Boys I’ve loved before” actress, also took to social media, urging fans to keep checking up on your grieving Asian friends and loved ones.
“Wake up! Your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry…. Please please please stand with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren’t publicly grieving on social media.”
Here’s how other celebrities reacted to the violent attacks on the Asian community:
I’m angry. This is terrorism. This is a hate crime. Stop killing us. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/rZghXp4nOQ
— Margaret Cho (@margaretcho) March 17, 2021
Wake up... your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick to their stomachs and wildly angry. Please please please check in on us, please please please stand with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if they aren’t publicly grieving on social media. x
— Lana Condor (@lanacondor) March 17, 2021
Thank you. This video from @nowthisnews first appeared a few weeks ago, but applies all too directly to yesterday’s events in #Atlanta #StopAsianHate https://t.co/ceFLPRVq65
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 17, 2021
I will be speaking to the Congressional House Committee on the Judiciary about the Rise of Discrimination & Violence Against Asian Americans TOMORROW, Thurs, March 18th at 10AM EDT. You can watch it live at the link below. Please join me, and help #StopAsianHate. #Atlanta https://t.co/w9duQf8EFv
— Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) March 17, 2021
How much longer are we going to tolerate, a word I never use, this madness of hate to continue!? #StopAsianHate
— Dionne Warwick (@dionnewarwick) March 17, 2021
A CRIME AGAINST ANY COMMUNITY IS A CRIME AGAINST US ALL
— RINA SAWAYAMA (@rinasawayama) March 17, 2021
RIP TO THE ASIAN WOMEN KILLED#StopAsianHate https://t.co/sZmtQuaJt7
Whether the killer went in with intent to kill Asian women or he just happened to go to three different Asian establishments, miles apart, with intent to kill those inside doesn’t change the racial nature of these murders.
— George Takei (@GeorgeTakei) March 17, 2021
Last night was an act of pure racist hatred. This is very personal to me as a mom of a child who is both Black & Asian. But it shouldn’t have to be personal to know its wrong. Speak up. Hashtags are nice but actions save lives. Standing w/ the AAPI community. #StopAsianHate pic.twitter.com/Rtx1b2AZW9
— shonda rhimes (@shondarhimes) March 17, 2021
Asians are not a monolith.
— Padma Lakshmi (@PadmaLakshmi) March 17, 2021
The continent includes around 48 countries and 3 territories, all with unique cultures, food customs and traditions.
But a racist attack against one of us is an attack against all of us. #StopAsianHate
We need to take decisive aim at our gun laws & enact sensible reforms to ensure that those with hate-filled hearts are no longer armed to destroy lives. It’s time we put safety on the agenda in America. #StopAsianHate #StopAAPIHate https://t.co/T28bvAKpL6
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) March 17, 2021
To everyone amplifying #StopAsianHate today...
— TZE THEE CHUN (@thetzechun) March 17, 2021
We see you and we appreciate you.
I’m heartbroken to hear about this tragedy. The AAPI community across the country is frightened by these acts of violence. We have to strengthen our resolve and act against such blind hatred. Tonight we stand in solidarity with victims and their families. #StopAsianHate https://t.co/r34B3xnUnQ
— Andy Kim (@AndyKimNJ) March 17, 2021
Singer John Legend stated that the attacks were downright “absolutely horrible,” and that the country “needs to reckon with the increased threats being directed at our Asian-American brothers and sisters.”
The Atlanta shooting incident is a recent one in a serious of attacks against Asian-American community. On 11th March this year, a 75-year-old man from Hong Kong was killed after being physically assaulted during his morning walk. The culprit had a history of targeting elderly Asians.
In another similar incident, an 81 year old from Thailand was killed after being forcefully pulled down on the ground when he was casually walking in his neighborhood in San Francisco. Similarly, a 61 year old Filipino-American man had his face lacerated upon confronting a man who kicked his tote bag.
Since the start of pandemic, individuals belonging from the Asian community have been targeted and looked down upon, as if they are the only ones responsible for the spread of coronavirus. But in reality, it is the West who is still struggling to control the spread while China has been declared coronavirus-free! It’s high time we should all stand against those xenophobic individuals who endorse such hate crimes against the Asian community—or any other community, for that matter.
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#StopAsianHate now!