Biden signs bill to stop anti-Asian hate crimes [Video]

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

• President Joe Biden signed COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act bill into law on Thursday.
• The legislation would mandate the Justice Department to amplify its campaign in mitigating the hate crimes against Asian Americans.
• Biden appreciated the bipartisan support from the Congress.

President Joe Biden enacted a law on Thursday in a bid to halt the growing cases of anti-asian hate crimes being experienced by Asian Americans in the midst of the pandemic.

With a magnanimous bipartisan support of 364-32 this week, the House has approved the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act after the Senate passed it with 94-1 vote in April.

The proposal was initiated by House Democrats Rep. Grace Meng (N.Y.) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI.)

The law appoints a specific official from the Department of Justice to hasten the handling of COVID-19-related hate crimes, and mandates the agency to back state and local authorities in strengthening reporting of such cases.

The Justice department is also tasked to provide guidance to law enforcement authorities on how to reduce the use of racially discriminatory language.

The signing ceremony Thursday marked the biggest public indoor event at the White House headed by Biden amid the pandemic. The event was attended by several legislators, Justice Department officials and civil groups.

The president lauded both Democrats and Republican legislators for collectively passing the bill, adding that he hopes that this legislation would eradicate the ‘hyper-partisan era.’

“For centuries, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, diverse and vibrant communities have helped build this nation only to be often stepped over, forgotten, or ignored,” he said. 

“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. I’m proud today,” Biden continued.

Similarly, Vice President Kamala Harris, who was the first Asian to sit at the White House, also gave her gratitude to the members of the Congress who uphold the measure.

“After the president signs this bill today, we will not be done. Here’s the truth. Racism exists in America, xenophobia exists in America, anti semitism, Islamophobia, homophobia, transphobia, it all exists. And so the work to address injustice wherever it exists, remains the work ahead,” she said. 

The measure came amid the rapid growth of discriminatory incidents and hate crimes against Asian Americans, who are being blamed for carrying the COVID-19 virus that originated in China.

Source: The Hill