President Biden signed a bill into law that's aimed at countering a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic.
Biden, who previously urged Congress to pass the legislation, thanked lawmakers for their support of the Covid-19 Hate Crimes Act.
"Today, I can say that because of all of you, many of you sitting right in front of me, you've taken that first step, this important step," Biden said in White House remarks. The President noted that documented incidents of hate against Asian Americans has seen "a shocking spike."
"My message to all of those who are hurting is, we see you. And the Congress has said, we see you. And we are committed to stop the hatred and the bias," Biden said.
Vice President Kamala Harris said the bill brings the country "one step closer to stopping hate, not only for Asian Americans, but for all Americans."
"It will expedite the Justice Department's review of hate crimes, every type of hate crime," Harris said, adding that Biden is determine to give hate "no safe harbor."
Here's what the legislation will do:
- It will create a new position at the Justice Department to expedite review of potential Covid-19-related hate crimes and incidents reported at the federal, state or local level.
- It will direct the Justice Department and Health and Human Services to work with community-based organizations to issue guidance raising awareness of hate crimes during the pandemic, and would require the attorney general to issue guidance to work with state and local law enforcement agencies to establish online reporting of them.
The legislation passed in the Senate with an overwhelming 94-1 vote in April. And earlier this month, the House voted 364-62, with all the no votes being Republicans. The bill was introduced by New York Democratic Rep. Grace Meng and Hawaii Democratic Sen. Mazie Hirono.
Reported hate crimes against Asians in 16 of the US' largest cities and counties are up 164% since this time last year, according to a recent study from the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at Cal State University San Bernardino.
Separately, Stop AAPI Hate, which tracks reports of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans, says it has received more than 6,000 firsthand complaints since last year. The group began tracking violence and harassment on March 19 last year as more Asian Americans were verbally and physically assaulted while erroneously being blamed for the Covid-19 pandemic.
Read more about the law here.
Watch Biden sign the bill into law:
COVID-19 - Latest - Google News
May 21, 2021 at 12:56AM
https://ift.tt/3f4OS2s
WH leaves possibility open to using unused Covid relief money for infrastructure - CNN
COVID-19 - Latest - Google News
https://ift.tt/2SmHWC3
Bagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "WH leaves possibility open to using unused Covid relief money for infrastructure - CNN"
Post a Comment