Mayor de Blasio was confused by protesters Friday night during a vigil in Union Square held to protest anti-Asian racism and the victims of the Georgia massage parlor shootings.
A diverse crowd gathered on 14th Street in Manhattan to demand an end to hate crimes and bias after a lone gunman killed six Asian women and two others in attacks in the Atlanta area on Tuesday night.
Mourners lit candles, held signs saying ‘Stop Killing Us’ and ‘Stop Asian Hate’ and laid flowers in front of makeshift memorials, while politicians and advocates addressed protesters, some of whom turned their anger at Hizzoner.
“What are you going to do about it?” Demanded a chorus of people as de Blasio called for victims of anti-Asian prejudice crimes to come forward, said images from social media
The mayor was surrounded by about a dozen hostile protesters as his motorcade left the event, in the video Twitter showed
Senate leader Chuck Schumer and hopeful Mayor Andrew Yang were among the high-profile speakers calling for peace and healing at the event hosted by the Asian American Federation.
Among those attending the vigil was Jayne Ng, 25, a Chinese American who said she was reeling from the massacre in the South.
“This week has been so difficult and troubling,” she said. “So I appreciate that tonight there were leaders of the Muslim, Hispanic and Black communities to make their voices heard and support the Asian-American community. They came out to say they are there for us. “
Ng, an artist, added that she has experienced firsthand anti-Asian hatred.
“As an Asian woman I have had to deal with harassment in the subway. Strangers followed me on the street. I’ve heard people yell at me. I always feel unsafe. I experience intimidation. It’s a sad side to be an Asian woman. Hopefully these tragic events can create more awareness. “
Vincent Tang, 40, called on local leaders to take action to end racial violence.
‘I think it helped. We lack solidarity and support. It was good to get together to support each other. It was very hopeful to see other people tonight who are not Asian, ”said Tang.
“We have always faced setbacks. We’ve dealt with racism. We are finally coming together in a strong community and as a whole. This is such a diverse city. I finally feel it’s time to stand up and support each other and call on our leaders to take action. They continue to fall short. It’s all talk. No action, ”Tang complained.
The NYPD has recorded a 1,300 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic and has ramped up patrols in Asian neighborhoods following the massage parlor murders.
On Friday evening, Kamala Harris, the first Asian-American to hold the position of vice president, said 3,800 incidents of hate speech against the group have been recorded in the past year.