Councilmember David Oh hosted a zoom panel discussion with Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw and community leaders on the topic of increasing hate crimes directed at residents of Asian descent.
Hate crimes against Asian-Americans have increased 150% in the last year according to an analysis released by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino.
Councilmember Oh and Commissioner Outlaw were joined by over 60 civic, community and business leaders. In addition to Asian organizations, groups representing African, Jamaican, and Hispanic, and Russian-speaking communities were also in attendance.
Asian-owned businesses in Philadelphia were especially affected by the violence and looting that occurred in the wake of the George Floyd and Walter Wallace Jr shootings.
Now, local Asian business owners and residents are concerned about the national trend of rising hate crimes. Two teenagers of Indonesian descent were recently assaulted in Philadelphia at the City Hall SEPTA station on March 25, 2021.
Councilmember Oh organized the meeting to bring all stakeholders to the table amid Rising concern and uncertainty for AAPI residents. The Police Commissioner and the Philadelphia Police Asian American Advisory Committee offered their support for the Asian community and discussed ongoing strategies to increase the police presence around Asian-owned businesses, train more officers of Asian descent, and increase dialogue and familiarity between Asian and immigrant communities and the police department.
“I want to thank Commissioner Outlaw and all participating members of the Police Department for offering their time and support. Communication between law enforcement and the community is key for tackling these issues” said Councilmember Oh.
“Anti-Asian hate is nothing new, but the recent spike speaks volumes for the need to increase awareness and education. All of us have a role to play in stopping hate wherever it occurs.”
Contact: Tyler DeBusi, Tyler.DeBusi@phila.gov, 610-741-9495
