White House responds to recent attacks on Asian Americans in shocking Bay Area incidents
SAN FRANCISCO -- White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki took time during her press briefing Monday to address the escalating hate crimes that have been documented in recent days, yet just represent the latest spike in alarming incidents against Asian Americans since the very outset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
RELATED: Volunteers patrol streets after shocking attack on 91-year-old in Oakland's Chinatown
It has prompted widespread attention from prominent Asian American actors, as well as President Joe Biden's Administration.
RELATED: Shocking video shows 91-year-old man senselessly pushed to ground in Oakland's Chinatown
"I'm not aware that he's seen the videos," responded Psaki to one reporter during Monday's briefing. "But he is concerned about the discrimination against, the actions against the Asian American community, which is why he signed the executive order and why he's been outspoken in making clear that attacks, verbal attacks, any attacks of any form, are unacceptable." President Biden issued an executive order during his first week in office that acknowledges racism being directed at Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. It also directed the Department of Health and Human Services to avoid using language that could be offensive to the AAPI community as well.
RELATED: 70-year-old Oakland woman seen attacked, robbed by 2 men after returning from bank
As Oakland swore in its newest police chief, LeRonne Armstrong, on Monday, the department announced it has arrested a charged a suspect in the now-viral attack against a 91-year-old man that has sparked national outcry. It is believed the suspect also attacked two other victims that same day.
RELATED: Suspect arrested in attack on 91-year-old in Oakland's Chinatown, police say
Chief Armstrong is promising that additional resources will be available to Oakland residents in reporting crimes.
A similar crisis is being fought in San Francisco, where police have arrested a 19-year-old suspect in a horrific daytime attack caught on video, that killed an 84-year-old man last month.
