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As it happenedended1616098423

Atlanta shooting hearing: Grace Meng gives tearful testimony as Chip Roy ‘glorifies lynching’

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Oliver O'Connell
Thursday 18 March 2021 20:13 GMT
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Rep Grace Meng blasts Chip Roy at hearing on Asian American hate crimes

The House Judiciary Committee heard from Asian American leaders and activists about the rise in discrimination and violence against their communities since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic.

Advocates have blamed former president Donald Trump for stoking discrimination against Asian Americans with his inflammatory rhetoric while in office.

The hearing comes just days after the shooting spree that claimed the lives of eight people at three spas in the Atlanta area — six of them Asian women.

In shocking moments early on in the proceedings, Representative Chip Roy defended his use of the term “Chicom”, railed against the Chinese Communist Party, and appeared to glorify lynching.

His comments were noted by several with Representatives Grace Meng and Ted Lieu calling him out during their remarks. Ms Meng gave particularly emotional testimony rebuking the GOP for putting a “bullseye” on Asian Americans’ backs with their rhetoric.

Lawmakers joined experts on hate crimes in giving testimony. The actor Daniel Dae Kim, known for roles on Lost and Hawai Five-O, also appeared. Mr Kim has been outspoken about the problem of violence against Asian Americans.

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Daughter of former NY senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan caught on video racially abusing young Asian-American couple

The daughter of the late Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan has been accused of racially abusing an Asian-American couple after video of her ranting and telling them to "go back to China" circulated online.

The footage shows Ms Moynihan having a heated argument with Dan Lee, who began filming her after she allegedly told Mr Lee's wife, Maria Ha, to "go back to China."

Ms Ha shared the footage on her Instagram account. She claims the confrontation took place at 1:25pm near a Manhattan street corner.

The video of the harassment comes as racially motivated attacks against Asian-Americans are on the rise and just days after a the Atlanta spa shooting that left six Asian women dead.

Graig Graziosi reports.

Senator's daughter caught on video racially abusing young Asian-American couple

The woman made the comments despite spending much of her career reporting in Asia

Justin Vallejo18 March 2021 19:10
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Daniel Dae Kim delivers powerful message to congress at anti-Asian violence hearing: ‘We are united, and we are waking up’

Daniel Dae Kim delivered a powerful speech to congress on Thursday where Asian American lawmakers and advocates testified before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties on anti-Asian discrimination and violence.

The Lost and Hawaii Five-0 actor has been a vocal critic of the rise in anti-Asian violence currently underway in the US. Yesterday (17 March), he appeared on TODAY to speak out against the recent incidents of violence against Asian Americans, calling on all Americans to use their voice in stopping anti-Asian hate crimes: “It's not an Asian American issue, it's a human issue,” he said.

“We as Asian Americans have come to this country because we believe in the American dream,” Kim continued. “Many of us have succeeded. Some of us are even the frontline healthcare workers upon on who we’ve all come to depend during this terrible pandemic.

Rachel Brodsky reports.

Actor Daniel Dae Kim delivers powerful message to congress at anti-Asian violence hearing

‘You may consider us statistically insignificant now. But...we are the fastest growing racial demographic in the country. We are 23 million strong. We are united. And we are waking up’

Justin Vallejo18 March 2021 19:35

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