Congress Votes to #Stop the COVID-19 Science Denial Hate Crimes Act

San Francisco CA

Description

I’ve joined the Pandemic Police Department — and I’m not enjoying it. “That can be corrosive and stressful,” But the brainless are ubiquitous, so I’m being extra, super-duper, level 11 cautious. I have rheumatoid arthritis, which may put me at moderate risk to catch COVID, so I barely leave the house these days other than to walk the dogs, go to the doctor, and run small errands. But every time I step foot out my front door I’m reminded why, nine months after the deadly COVID-19 pandemic began, the entire country is still oozing with coronavirus Willard Virant agrees. The problem is, there has been no national leadership and people have different ideas of risk assessment, she adds. “We’re getting a lot of mixed messages in terms of what’s okay and what’s not okay. There’s a lot of middle ground and not necessarily a pure right or wrong. What you might find risky is something that someone else doesn’t find risky, and vice versa. We’re all left to making these decisions on our own. Like, someone might be traveling a lot, but they’ve kept their kid out of soccer. Someone else might be furious at that person for traveling, but their kid goes to soccer every week. There are all kinds of levels and people value and prioritize different things.” Today, the House of Representatives passed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, bipartisan legislation to combat the growing and grave crisis of anti-Asian American Pacific Islander discrimination and bigotry in America. Soon, this bill will go to President Biden’s desk to be signed into law, appropriately during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. This legislation builds on steps taken by President Biden, including his Day One Executive Order to marshal federal resources to combat racism, xenophobia and bigotry against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and his March 30 announcement of additional steps to combat anti-AAPI hate. Together, these steps will make a significant difference to address hate crimes in America – not only during this pandemic but for years to come. These assaults and violent attacks are vicious and vile actions that compound the fear and pain that Asian-Americans face each day. It is a profound and cruel injustice that, amid the coronavirus pandemic and economic crisis, the AAPI community also faces the surging threat of violent and deadly attack. With nearly 3,800 incidents of anti-AAPI discrimination and violence, in all fifty states, this epidemic demands robust and immediate action. With the help of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, we will be able to report and record these crimes to ensure that these vulnerable communities are safeguarded from further attacks. This legislation will: Speed up and strengthen our response to hate crimes by requiring a designated officer or employee of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to facilitate the expedited review of hate crimes and reports of hate crimes. Support state and local governments’ response with DOJ guidance on establishing online hate crime reporting processes, collecting data and expanding education campaigns, and with grants to create reporting hotlines and conduct initiatives to prevent and respond to hate crimes. Unfortunately, these attacks have found their way to our home in San Francisco. From xenophobic rhetoric being shouted on the streets to violent assaults against the elderly, our beloved city has suffered from racist actions aimed at our neighbors and loved ones. Despite the injustices they have endured, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders continue to bless our nation with rich culture, beautiful diversity and powerful resilience. House Democrats and the Biden-Harris Administration will always stand with our AAPI friends, family and neighbors as we strive to fulfill our founding principle as a nation of immigrants and build a brighter future for all. best regards,