Rally Supporting Asian American Community Draws Hundreds

BEDFORD, NY — A rally held Saturday afternoon at the Bedford Village Memorial Park drew hundreds of supporters of the Asian American community. The show of support was organized by area high school students concerned about a recent increase in hate crimes directed towards the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

Catherine Caley, Maggie Kuo-Reed, Seneca Schwartz, Shiv Pai and other members of the community shared personal stories with the gathered crowd about life for Asian Americans in the current political climate. Other speakers included high profile lawmakers and anti-violence advocates.

New York State Assemblymember Chris Burdick, State Senator Shelley Mayer, State Senator Pete Harckham, Westchester County Clerk Tim Idoni, Westchester County Legislator Kitley Covill and Bedford Town Supervisor MaryAnn Carr all shared the stage during the demonstration. Robert Chao of the Organization of Chinese Americans (an Asian Pacific American advocacy organization) was also on hand for the assembly. The crowd included more than 200 attendees, according to an estimate from the Idea Committee of Bedford.

Flyers handed out at the event offered suggestions about resources available to members of the community who believe that they may have been a victim of hate. The informational handouts also directed attendees to educational opportunities and suggested where donations could make the biggest difference in stemming the rise in hate crimes.

Earlier this month, an Asian American grandmother was brutally attacked in White Plains. Calling the attack "shocking and horrible,” Westchester District Attorney Miriam Rocah said her office has assigned assistant district attorneys focusing on hate crimes and elder abuse to investigate the case.

SEE ALSO: Attack On Asian American Grandmother In White Plains

Stop AAPI Hate, a national organization formed to address the violence against Asians during the pandemic, confirmed that there has been a troubling rise in the number of bias incidents perpetrated against Asian Americans in recent months. The group said 3,800 hate incidents towards Asians were reported to them between March 19, 2020 and Feb. 28, 2021.

This weekend’s rally comes on the heels of a similar protest on March 20 in Ardsley. The well-attended event at Pascone Park was also organized by high school students.

SEE ALSO: Ardsley High School Asian Student Union Organizes Community Rally