President Joe Biden signed an Anti-Asian hate crimes bill into law called the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, making a "significant break" from the partisan gridlock on most congressional issues.
"To the members of our United States Congress on both sides of the aisle who helped pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, thank you," said Vice President Kamala Harris, the first woman and person of Asian descent to hold the office. "Because of you, history will remember this day and this moment when our nation took action to combat hate."
"For centuries, Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, diverse and vibrant communities have helped build this nation only to be often stepped over, forgotten, or ignored," said President Biden. "My message to all of those who are hurting is, we see you. And the Congress has said, we see you. And we are committed to stop the hatred and the bias."
"Silence is complicity. And we cannot be complicit. We have to speak out. We have to act. That's what you've done. And I can't thank you enough," Biden said. "I'm proud today."
Source: npr.org
