Tackling hate: Meng meets with Biden and Harris to discuss anti-Asian violence

Rep. Grace Meng (right) and members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. From left: Reps. Kaialiʻi Kahele (D-HI), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA) and Mark Takano (D-CA). The caucus met with President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House Thursday. Photo courtesy of Meng’s Office

By David Brand

U.S. Rep. Grace Meng visited the White House Thursday to discuss the response to anti-Asian violence with President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and other members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus.

Meng, the vice chair of CAPAC, legislation to create an office in the Department of Justice to review local, state and federal hate crimes and foster collaboration among law enforcement. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act is awaiting a vote in the Senate and has the support of Biden.

Meng thanked Biden “for standing with the Asian American community during this difficult and challenging time, and for taking action to combat the rise in bigotry and racist attacks.”

“The president and vice president have been true allies of the Asian American community, and working together, we will continue to do everything possible to stop Asian hate,” she added.

The meeting comes amid a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes nationwide, and here in New York City. The U.S. saw a 150 percent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes last year, with New York accounting for the sharpest spike, according to California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.  The report found that the number of offense against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders increased from three in 2019 to 28 in 2020, an increase of 833 percent. 

Attackers have continued to target Asian New Yorkers, particularly women and older adults, in 2021. 

Meng discussed the hate crime bill during an appearance on WNYC’s Brian Lehrer Show last month, less than a week after a gunman killed eight women, including six of Asian descent, at Atlanta-area spas. 

Meng said the legislation would increase coordination between federal and local law enforcement. 

“We have to not just make it easier to report but we have to give local organizations and law enforcement more tools and how to investigate these sorts of incidents,” she said. 

Meng said addressing discrimination and hate crimes also takes education and community-building.

“Even if we were to say every single perpetrator should be charged with a hate crime, that doesn't necessarily solve the problem in the long term,” she said. “Communities working together with better understanding is a better and more surefire way than just locking someone up. It’s a complicated [problem] that needs a wraparound solution.”