Since COVID-19 first plagued the United States, acts of violence against Asian Americans have increased. The stabbing of a 36-year-old Asian American man last Thursday is the latest reported incident in New York City. The Rise Up Against Asian Hate rally, organized by the Asian American Federation, took place on February 27th at Foley Square in downtown Manhattan, two blocks from the stabbing incident. More than 300 people gathered together at this rally to speak out against the increase in Anti-Asian violence in NYC and nationwide.

61-year-old Filipino American Noel Quintana, a victim of an Asian-American hate crime, spoke at this event. “I called for help, but nobody came to help. If they took a video of this, the perpetrator would be identified easily,” he said. He urged people to be aware of their surroundings at all times and to record incidents. Additionally, Democratic Congresswoman Grace Meng, representing New York’s 6th District and constant advocate for Asian-Americans, said, “We need to make sure that we are not fighting racism with more racism. That we are fighting racism with solidarity. That we are not ever, ever pitting one group against the other. It is everyone against racism. We are American, too.”

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer addressed former President Trump’s failure to address this issue, as his use of the term “Chinese flu” only fueled Anti-Asian hate crimes. Schumer stated, “Bigotry against any of us is bigotry against all of us.” New York Mayor Bill de Blasio helped conclude the rally, promising citizens that any individual “who commits an act of hate against the Asian-American community will be found, will be arrested, and will be prosecuted.”