COVID-19 epidemic: anti-Asian attacks escalate in 2020 due to police

City officials said Tuesday that the coronovirus epidemic caused attacks on Asians in New York City in 2020.

According to Sub-Inspector Stewart Lu, the NYPD’s hate crime task force recorded 28 anti-Asian attacks compared to two incidents in 2019 last year.

“Obviously, we didn’t have an epidemic,” he said of the leap.

Police said arrests were made in 18 of those attacks.

The NYPD formed the task force last August, pulling 25 spies from across the city.

Luo said that in 2021, police conducted two anti-Asian attacks.

Jo-Ann Yeo, executive director of the Asian American Federation, told Mayor Bill de Blasio’s daily press conference that “the Asian American community is recovering from a second epidemic of racism.”

The hate crime task force of the NYPD recorded 28 anti-Asian attacks last year - compared to two incidents in 2019.
The NYPD’s hate crime task force recorded 28 anti-Asian attacks last year – compared to two incidents in 2019.
Anthony Behar / Sipa USA

“These attacks are reminiscent of the victims of my community since last January, to tell you the truth, we have been angered and devastated by incidents of hatred against Asian New Yorkers,” Yu said.

The non-profit created its own reporting system online, which Yu said has logged more than 500 incidents since the beginning of last year.

An activist speaks during the Endeavor the Voices Towards Asians rally in Washington Square Park on February 20, 2021.
An activist speaks during a rally at Andean’s The Voices Towards in Washington Square Park on February 20, 2021.
Ron Adar / Sopa Image / Shutterstock

“We know this is an undercount, so I encourage people to come forward and report their stories,” Yu said.

Protesters read the signs
The protesters have indicated that “hate is a virus” and read “Stop Asian Hate” towards nonviolence leading to violence in Washington Square Park on February 20, 2021 in New York City.
Dia Dipsupil / Getty Images

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