Violence against Asian Americans has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Stop the AAPI Hate Project reports about 3,800 hate incidents occurred from Mar. 19, 2020 to Feb. 28, 2021. The number of hate incidents are likely underreported, but project officials say it does demonstrate how vulnerable Asian Americans are to discrimination.
Mar. 16, eight people were killed at shootings at three spas in the Atlanta area. Six were Asian women. This week in Arkansas, news organizations have been reporting on an incident that occurred Mar. 13 outside Oaklawn Casino in Hot Springs. A Fire Captain with the Bentonville Fire Department has been arrested and charged for battery and public intoxication after a fight with an Asian man.
In response to such incidents, Mar. 26, 2021 has been declared a national day of action and healing and Arkansans can participate virtually or in person.
The Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Democratic Caucus of Arkansas is hosting a #StopAsianHate Virtual Town Hall with community leaders and partner organizations to discuss the growing hate crimes against Asian Americans. That event begins at 5:30 p.m. and can viewed on the group’s Facebook page.
In Bentonville, a vigil will be hosted on the Momentary Green. This gathering, which is organized by Monica Kumar and Gayatri Agnew with support from Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art and the Momentary, begins at 6:30 p.m.