California Leaders Unite to Combat Rising Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

The recent surge in Anti-AAPI hate crimes has left many Asian American communities living in fear. According to data from Stop AAPI Hate, over 3,000 incidents have been reported since last March. Among them, 9% involved physical assaults, 6% were cases of malicious spitting, and 71% included verbal abuse. California State University also reported that anti-AAPI hate crimes increased by 149% in 2020 compared to 2019.

Press Conference to Address Hate and Discrimination

In response to this alarming trend, California Assemblyman Phillip Chen will host a press conference this Friday. The event aims to raise awareness, combat harmful stereotypes, and propose actionable solutions to protect the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Key speakers will include L.A. County Sheriff’s Walnut/Diamond Bar Station Captain Alfred Reyes, La Puente Mayor Charlie Klinakis, Arcadia Councilmember Paul Cheng, and law enforcement representative David Chi. Community advocates such as Los Angeles County Insurance Commissioner Kenny Chang, David Lee of Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, and Daniel Deng Esq. will also speak at the event.

Standing in Unity Against Hate

Assemblymember Phillip Chen stated that the purpose of this event is twofold. First, it calls on the Chinese community to take recent hate incidents seriously—like the robberies targeting Asian women in Rowland Heights and the tragic death of an elderly Asian man in Northern California. Second, it helps other communities understand that AAPI individuals stand firmly against hate crimes. “We will stand united, support one another, and push back against these acts,” said Chen.

Mayor of La Puente – Charlie Klinakis and Arcadia Councilmember Paul Cheng reaffirmed their dedication to fighting anti-Asian hate in their respective cities. Cheng highlighted that Asian Americans, though diverse in background, are vital to the nation’s success. Insurance Commissioner Kenny Chang praised the courage of Chinese American officials and encouraged more unity within the AAPI community.

David Lee, Chairman of the Hing Wa Lee Jewelers, emphasized that despite often keeping a low profile, the AAPI community deserves the same respect and protection as all Americans. Attorney Hong Deng urged community members to stand up for their rights, vote for AAPI leaders, and support legislation that protects against discrimination and hate crimes.

Encouraging Public Reporting and Safety

Captain Alfred Reyes reminded the public to stay alert and report any hate crime—whether as a victim or witness. He noted that the California government is taking these issues seriously. A special investigative task force now works alongside law enforcement to target hate crimes across racial and ethnic lines. Additionally, offices will be established in cities with large Chinese populations to help residents report incidents more easily.

“In America, no one should suffer violence because of their appearance, identity, or where they come from,” said Assemblymember Chen. “Following the sharp rise in hate crimes across the country, we are committed to supporting and helping our AAPI communities in collaboration with our law enforcement partners.”