A Step Forward: Senate overwhelmingly passes anti-Asian hate crimes bill!

 The Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation Thursday designed to more forcefully investigate hate crimes, particularly those against Asian Americans after the March 16 shootings at three Atlanta spas and a wave of violence following the spread of the coronavirus from China last year.

This is a good first step, this is a step forward! Asian Americans welcome this action by the Senate.

“To our Asian American friends: We will not tolerate bigotry against you. And to those perpetrating anti-Asian bigotry: We will pursue you to the fullest extent of the law. We cannot — we cannot — allow the recent tide of bigotry, intolerance, and prejudice against Asian Americans go unchecked,” Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a floor speech just before the vote.

“This legislation sends a dual message to our Asian-American community: We will not tolerate violence and bigotry against you. And to those who perpetrate the violence and bigotry, we’re going to pursue you to the full extent of the law,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, at a press conference after the bill’s passage.

“Crimes motivated by bias against race, national origin, and other characteristics cannot be tolerated. Our amendment both denounces those acts and marshals additional resources toward addressing and stopping these horrible crimes,” Ms. Collins said in a statement this week after the linchpin agreement had been reached.

“I just am concerned the bill is hugely broad, hugely open-ended, mandates all of this data collection in expansive categories that the federal government will collect,” said Sen. Josh Hawley (R., Mo.), the sole senator to vote against the bill.

Still, remember, Asian Americans have a long long way home toward real racial equality and justice! We must stand in solidarity with all minority Americans to promote and defend our American dreams!

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