US Senate Democratic Leader Promises Hate Crime Prevention Law in Koreatown

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] Chuck Schumer, the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and New York State Senator, visited Manhattan Koreatown and emphasized the necessity of passing the Asian Hate Crime Prevention Act.

Chuck Schumer (right), Democratic Senate Majority Leader, and Grace Meng, Democratic Congresswoman, are visiting Manhattan's Koreatown in New York City and taking commemorative photos with children.

At a press conference on the 19th (local time), Leader Schumer said, "Anti-Asian hate crimes are seriously increasing in New York City and Koreatown. I will push for a Senate vote on the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act this week together with neighbors and Asian American friends." He emphasized, "Any senator who votes against this bill should be ashamed."

Earlier, the Senate agreed to bypass the filibuster (legal obstruction of legislative process) and proceed to debate on the bill to prevent hate crimes against Asian Americans. However, some Republican senators expressed skepticism about the bill’s passage, pointing to the Democratic Party’s criticism of former President Donald Trump’s 'China Virus' remarks.

The bill allows victims of hate crimes to easily report incidents online and mandates judicial authorities to promptly handle hate crime cases.

Grace Meng, the bill’s sponsor and a member of the House of Representatives, introduced that Asian Americans have felt fear outside their homes for over a year due to hate crimes, and evaluated, "Finally, we can establish measures at the congressional level." About 100 people attended the press conference, including Richard Donovan, Queens Borough President, Jang Won-sam, Consul General of New York, and Charles Yoon, President of the New York Korean American Association.