Beachwood Mayor Condemns Hate Crime Spike Against Asian Americans

BEACHWOOD, OH — Beachwood Mayor Martin Horwitz condemned the recent mass shooting in Atlanta and the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

Horwitz issued a statement Thursday saying he was "enraged" by the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans.

"As mayor of Beachwood, I stand with all of our residents in condemning the murders in Atlanta and the recent rise of attacks fueled by the rhetoric of nationalism and xenophobia. In the strongest terms, I denounce this violence and pledge to work against hate," Horwitz said in a statement.

On Tuesday afternoon, five people were shot at a massage parlor about 30 miles north of Atlanta, and four died. Police also found three women shot to death at Gold Spa in Atlanta, and another woman dead at Aroma Therapy Spa across the street.

In a statement to The Associated Press, South Korea's Foreign Ministry confirmed that four of the victims who died were women of Korean descent. An additional two female victims were also of Asian descent.

The shooting has prompted many to wonder if the attack was race-related.

During a Wednesday press conference, police said the attack was not racially motivated. During questioning, authorities said, the suspect claimed to have a "sex addiction" and said he lashed out at what he saw as sources of temptation.

However, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms told CNN it's difficult to ignore that many of the victims were Asian and were targeted at Asian massage parlors.

New data by Stop AAPI Hate reported 3,292 hate incidents against Asian Americans in 2020. After surveying more than 3,300 Asian Americans, researchers found that 68 percent had experienced verbal harassment between March 19, 2020, and February 2021. Eleven percent reported being physically assaulted.

Instances of Asian American hate originated in every U.S. state, including Ohio, the AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islander) report said.

Here's Horwitz's full statement:

I am enraged that hate crimes against Asian Americans are increasing at a staggering rate. As Mayor of Beachwood, I stand with all of our residents in condemning the murders in Atlanta and the recent rise of attacks fueled by the rhetoric of nationalism and xenophobia. In the strongest terms, I denounce this violence and pledge to work against hate. Beachwood’s Asian-American residents support our city, our schools and our economy and our community is strengthened and enriched by their presence.