Meng calls for action as Asian attacks rise

Queens Rep. Grace Meng has been trying to raise public consciousness about the massive increase in hate crimes — including phsycial assults — against members of the Asian-American community. But while the instances of  Islamophobia (real or imagined) move quickly to page one, and anti-Semitic attacks get attention (though frequently grudgingly), Asian-Americans nationwide have had to deal with a 339 percent increase in hate crime last year without much support.

“The Asian-American community here in New York and across the country are terrified,” Rep. Meng said on NBC last week. “They’re scared to leave their homes, scared to ride mass transit. The stats speak for themselves.”

The five-term congressmember has frequently voiced her outrage over the growing number of anti-Semitic incidents in recent years.  As columnist Ben Cohen urges [link here], the Jewish community must stand in solidarity with Rep. Meng and with all of our Asian-American friends and neighbors.