The World: US House of Representatives condemns anti-Asian racism amid pandemic

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 08:24 am

The House of Representatives voted Thursday to formally condemn racism concentrated on Asian-Americans amid the coronavirus pandemic. 

The resolution, first brought by congresswoman Grace Meng, was passed in a 243-164 vote. It condemns all forms of racism concentrated on the Asian-American neighborhood tied to the coronavirus pandemic.

Among its provisions it calls on all public officers to condemn and denounce anti-Asian sentiments, and calls on federal regulation enforcement to look into and report credible reviews of hate crimes in opposition to Asian-Americans and keep perpetrators to account.

“Since the starting of the coronavirus pandemic, Asian Americans have been compelled to endure demeaning and disgusting acts of bigotry and hate, consisting of everything from verbal assaults to bodily attacks,” Meng said in a assertion rapidly after her resolution cleared the House.

She singled out in specific language used by prominent Republicans, along with President Donald Trump, that critics such as Meng have warned is xenophobic and scapegoats the community.

“The upward push in anti-Asian rhetoric and the blaming of Asian Americans for the unfold of the coronavirus has been shameful and reckless, particularly when it comes from our nation’s leaders such as President Trump, Majority Leader McCarthy and many others who have used phrases like ‘Chinese virus,’ ‘Wuhan virus,’ and ‘Kung-flu,’ to stoke people’s fears of COVID-19,” she said.

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy, whom Meng referenced in her statement, called the resolution a “diversion,” and said “there is no kitchen in America that thinks this is the priority.”

(AnadoluAgency)