China News Service, May 31. According to the US "World Journal" report, in March this year, Chinese American Congressman Grace Meng and Japanese Senator Mazie Hirono jointly proposed the "New Crown Hate Crimes". Act (COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act).

The bill requires the creation of a position in the Department of Justice to facilitate rapid review of new crown hate crimes, create a multilingual reporting system and report hate incidents.

It also requires federal agencies to cooperate with community organizations to raise awareness of hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic.

　　On April 22 this year, the Bundesrat passed the bill 94 to 1; on May 18, the Bundestag passed the bill 364 to 62; on May 20, the bill was signed into law by President Biden.

Since then, the United States has a federal law to protect Asians from hate crimes during the epidemic.

Enacting laws can help curb hate crimes

　　The bill proposed by Meng Zhaowen is called the "New Crown Hate Crimes Act" (HR6721).

There are two main contents of the bill: 1. It requires the Attorney General to appoint officials of the Department of Justice to be responsible for this work and promote the rapid reporting of new hate crimes to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies; 2. Report the status of these cases to Congress on a monthly basis, including The resources provided to the complainant, as well as the actions taken to further investigate these incidents, and classify the data according to the race, socio-economic background and location of the victim.

These reports must be provided at least one year after the COVID-19 public health emergency is lifted.

　　Meng Zhaowen attended the signing ceremony of President Biden on May 20.

She said that facing this moment, she was really excited.

"It is an incredible feeling to see my bill become the law of the country, and I am very proud to defend the safety of Asian Americans." She said that the bill was passed by Congress and also Support from the Asian American community.

　　She said that when signing the bill, people should not forget the pain and struggle of the past year and the fear that the Asian American community was forced to endure, and remember all those who were attacked by these heinous racist attacks.

For a long time, Asian Americans have been regarded as invisible and silent, and often regarded as "foreigners" and "outliers."

"However, we are all Americans like everyone else in this country."

　　Later, she will promote other work, including an initiative to promote Asian-Pacific American history teaching in schools across the United States to break the stereotypes and negative perceptions of Asian Americans.

Incidents of discrimination against Asians have increased in the past year

　　Meng Zhaowen said that people have heard many disgusting stories and saw videos of Asians being beaten, chopped and spitting.

"For more than a year, Asian Americans across the United States have been crying out for help, so we proposed legislation."

　　She said she heard from many Asian Americans that they were afraid to go out of their homes.

"Many families don't let their children go to the park or play outdoors." Young people urge their parents and grandparents to stay in the house, tell them what to prepare, and deliver food to relatives who stay at home.

　　However, it is unreasonable and unacceptable to endure this horror.

She pointed out that everyone should feel safe, including the Asian American community.

"There should be no room for hatred in this society." She said: "Media reports on hate crimes provide me with more data and more accurate descriptions of attacks against Asians. A more focused and unified review of these crimes will help more. Solve the problem effectively."

　　Meng Zhaowen’s bill has also received support from many Asian organizations, including the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), the Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), the Asian-Pacific American National Committee (NCAPA), and the Asian-Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA).

To curb hatred Chinese parliamentarians has a long way to go

　　On the website of the House of Representatives, there is a press release saying that since the beginning of the crisis, there have been many reports of threats, harassment, or attacks on Asian Americans.

In addition, the new crown virus epidemic has also exacerbated anti-Semitism incidents against the Jewish community.

As a result, in addition to the new coronavirus, these communities also face other threats of hatred and injustice.

　　The press release lists Meng Zhaowen's work.

For example, a press release issued on April 22 stated that in the past year or so, in addition to the "New Crown Hate Crimes Act," Meng Zhaowen also called for combating hatred and racist attacks against Asian Americans.

These measures include passing a resolution condemning xenophobia and violence and introducing the latest version of the measure.

　　The several pieces of legislation she initiated and her recent testimony at the House Judiciary Committee panel hearings are about the increasing discrimination against Asian Americans.

After the mass shooting in Atlanta, she went to the Atlanta shooting scene to learn about the case.

At the same time, she also met with New York Mayor Bill de Blasio to discuss how to stop hate crimes against Asians.

　　The press release stated that racial discrimination was not only aimed at ordinary Asian people, but also at her, an Asian congressman.

"She received multiple messages of racial discrimination and hatred in her office phone messages and e-mails, and the congressman herself became a victim of anti-Asian behavior."

　　Meng Zhaowen pointed out that the purpose of this bill is not to prosecute more people for hate crimes.

"My goal is to allow our country, including law enforcement agencies, all levels of government to better understand the face of prejudice and racism." She pointed out that if it were not for Stop AAPI Hate statistics, then we would not know exactly the period of the epidemic. How many Asians were attacked.

She said: "The government should keep statistics on what happened and where it happened."

　　Meng Zhaowen also believes that the legislation is just one of the actions that needs to be taken.

The next step should be: better education, mental health services, and community building among different ethnic groups.

(Han Jie)