San Mateo Middle Schooler Organizes 'Stand Up For Asians' Rally

SAN MATEO, CA — A local middle schooler is organizing a rally in San Mateo on Saturday standing up to a recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes both locally and around the country.

The “Stand Up For Asians'' rally was put together by Ashlyn So and will take place at 1 p.m. on Saturday at San Mateo Central Park. According to the event page, attendees will include San Mateo City Council Member Amourence Lee and other local racial justice advocates.

“The message is to raise awareness through our march, then have speakers at the end and discuss how we as a community can step up to alleviate the situation with compassion, education, and unity,” the event description reads.

Attendees are asked to bring signs and wear masks.

There has been a rise in anti-Asian rhetoric since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, but several documented attacks against Asian elders in the Bay Area in recent weeks have raised alarm.

The Stop AAPI Hate organization reported over 2,800 incidents of anti-Asian hate in the country since the pandemic began, with over half occurring in California. In the Bay Area, elderly Asians account for over 8 percent of the victims.

“These recent incidents are stark reminders that urgent action must be taken to protect our AAPI community from hate, discrimination and violence,” the organization’s co-founders said in a news release earlier this month. “It is up to all of us — businesses, the government, and community partners — to come together and immediately support victims and families affected by these incidents, and work together to create long-lasting solutions that empower our communities with resources, support and education.”