Asian American lawmakers propose anti-hate crime legislation amid its rise since year
“The bill would make it “easier for us to have a more complete and accurate picture” of hate crimes and incidents,” says Meng,
The intensifying Anti-Asian hate amid the Coronavirus Pandemic is the crucial issue upheld by Asian American lawmakers.
The Stop AAPI Hate, an associated institution that tracks discrimination against Asian and Pacific Island Americans, records 3,000 firsthand accounts of anti-Asian American harassment since last year compared to 100 incidents annually.
Given this situation, Democratic lawmakers propel introducing a new bill addressing a rise in hate incidents directed at Asian Americans amid the coronavirus.
The bill dismissed passed during Donald Trump’s realm would create a new position at the Department of Justice to facilitate the review of hate crimes and provide oversight of hate crimes related to COVID-19.
“The bill would make it “easier for us to have a more complete and accurate picture” of hate crimes and incidents,” says Meng, the lead sponsor of the legislation in the House.
The bill will enable guidance for state and local law enforcement agencies to establish their own hate crime reporting systems and education campaigns about hate crimes, provided in multiple languages.
“We want to continue to not only raise awareness but also to try to help find real long-term solutions,” Meng exclaimed.
Meng believes there is “more momentum” this year to pass the legislation and is confident President Joe Biden’s administration would be a better partner in addressing anti-Asian American hate incidents than the Trump administration.