Monterey County Supervisors approve resolution denouncing hate crimes against Asian Americans

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Board of Supervisors has approved a resolution denouncing hate crimes and rhetoric against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, according to Supervisor Luis Alejo.

Civil rights activist Connie Jung Joe said the organization Stop AAPI Hate has received more than 3,000 reports of anti-Asian hate since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Before the pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate did not formally track the incidents, but the group Stand Against Hatred tracked only a few incidents in 2019.

Jeff Uchida, a board member of the Japanese American Citizens League says that the reported cases only scratch the surface.

"It's probably just the tip of the iceberg that have actually occurred especially with the older generation of Asian Americans whether it's a language barrier or one maybe they don't even know how to ask for help,"

Supervisors argue that language used to refer to COVID-19 has encouraged racism and prejudice. Even former NBA player and current Santa Cruz Warriors player Jeremy Lin reports being called "coronavirus" on the court.

"Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, on behalf of the County and all residents thereof, denounce hate crimes, hateful rhetoric and hateful acts against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and reaffirm our commitment to ensure that API Americans feel safe and welcome, both during this COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.." they wrote in the resolution.

In Sacramento, a similar resolution is also being discussed when surveillance cameras caught a man leaving the corpse of a cat outside a Chinese-American-owned butcher shop.

Mai Vang, a Sacramento city councilmember feels that more needs to be done to protect Asian Americans

"In the wake of ongoing racial justice, our communities in the city and across the state are demanding change from institutions," says Vang.

A resident from Marina feels that people should stop spreading hate and come together.

"It doesn't matter what color of skin you are or who or what you came from, it's about who are you deep down," says the resident.

Uchida believes that this resolution will spread awareness about the issue and hopefully help those who are victims of hate crimes.

"The victims, they have nobody to help them so that's one of the reasons why it's so important that the county comes up with this resolution supporting Asian Americans," says Uchida.

Monterey County is the first county to unanimously approve a resolution of this kind.

Read the full resolution below.