Violence against Asian Americans: Local leaders urge community members to be an ally, call out racism when they see it

CLAREMONT, Calif. (KABC) -- Local leaders organized a vigil outside the Claremont United Church of Christ on Sunday in a show of solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander community.

They honored the victims of the mass shooting in Georgia and those targeted in racially charged hate crimes since the beginning of the pandemic.

Speakers shared emotional stories of feeling vulnerable and living in fear.

"The existence of the pandemic has been laid at the feet of an entire race of people completely unfairly and inappropriately and on the basis of that assumption and that decision, now we are seeing over 3,000 hate incidents reported," said Claremont Mayor Pro Tem Jed Leano.

Experts say many of these crimes go unreported.

Meanwhile, a very diverse crowd turned out at the vigil. Speakers urged everyone to be an ally and to call out racism and report it whenever they see it.

RELATED | Asian American women say Atlanta shootings point to relentless, racist tropes

Asian American women say they have often been harassed based on their race in the wake of a gunman's rampage killing 6 Asian women.

RELATED | Racism against Asian Americans: What can we do about it?

A surge in brutal attacks against Asian-Americans, including a recent attack on a 91-year-old Thai man in San Francisco, has many calling for drastic change. So where do we go from here?