At a Trump campaign rally in New York City this weekend, numerous speakers gave remarks entrenched in hate, racism, sexism, and xenophobia. During the event, which has drawn comparisons to a 1939 Nazi rally at the same venue, speakers falsely stated that Kamala Harris is Samoan and Malaysian, spread hate-fueled disinformation about immigrants, and disparaged communities of color, including Puerto Ricans and Latinos.
Stop AAPI Hate, a U.S.-based coalition dedicated to ending racism and discrimination against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAs & PIs), issued a statement condemning the racist statements made by keynote speakers at the rally held at Madison Square Garde.
” “We’re outraged by the bigoted remarks and disinformation that Donald Trump and public figures like Tony Hinchcliffe and Tucker Carlson spewed at the event. Stop AAPI Hate’s data and other existing research show a connection between bigoted political rhetoric and acts of hate, so we are deeply concerned that this dangerous rhetoric will fuel more hate and violence against immigrants, people of color, and other targeted groups.”
The statement pointed out that political leaders throughout history have played into existing narratives that scapegoat communities of color and immigrants for the U.S’ economic and societal problems. “It’s a dangerous political strategy that aims to divide and control the American people by manufacturing fear and creating animus against targeted communities,” they added.
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However, recent research by AAPI suggests that AAPI communities and their allies are fighting back against racism and scapegoating. The rise in political scapegoating and racism has been a strong motivator for AAPIs to take action and exercise their growing political power. “Nearly 50% of AA/PIs have recently experienced an act of hate, and we are engaging in resistance at unprecedented levels,” said the statement.
“We cannot allow political figures or any public figure to spread such dangerous rhetoric. It is not normal, and it is exactly these kinds of racist remarks and mistruths that fuel hate and divide our country. We call on leaders across the nation to end unnecessary fear-mongering and rhetoric that endangers our safety and our democracy. We deserve leaders who engage in meaningful debate and uplift the needs, strengths, and contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, and other communities of color.”