We Belong Here: Over 1,000 New Yorkers March in Flushing, Queens Against Asian Hate and Racism

On May 2, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards and Congressmember Grace Meng held a march of solidarity against anti-Asian discrimination in Flushing, Queens.

Over 1,000 people gathered at the steps of Flushing Town Hall, representing communities from various racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds to show support for the AAPI community and stand together against racism and violence. The participants were also joined by Senator Chuck Schumer, Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul, State Senator John Liu, Mayor Bill de Blasio, and Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network.

"Today we send a strong message from the world's borough that we will not be bystanders to hate," Borough President Richards said. "An attack on you is an attack on each and everyone of us."

"We have watched with horror as we have been the victims of violence, of spitting, of punching, of kicking, of slashing, and being shot at our businesses. We gathered together to raise our voice to say 'Stop the Hate!'" KAAGNY President Charles Yoon said. "But today is a happy day because our voice has been heard [by local and federal leadership]. So I say today, 'No more fear! No more fear!'"

"Hate anywhere is illegal, is criminal, and we must stand together," Reverend Al Sharpton said. "Hate is hate is hate, and we must stop the Asian hate right now, right here, and all together."