ATLANTA — Thousands of people rallied in Georgia and across the country to stand against violence targeting Asian Americans.
Over the weekend, from the state Capitol to local churches, supporters are denouncing hate and remembering the eight lives lost.
Georgia’s two senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, marched and spoke during a rally at the state Capitol on Saturday condemning the violence.
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“I just wanted to drop by to say to my Asian sisters and brothers, we see you, and, more importantly, we are going to stand with you,” Warnock said to loud cheers as passing drivers honked car horns in support.
After a week of shock and sorrow, a small crowd joined together in Norcross with the Korean American Association of Georgia.
“To give the community a chance to remember the lost lives, the eight of them,” said Allison Padilla-Goodman of the Anti-Defamation League. “I think we have to name threats and actions what they are.”
Goodman urged sensitivity and knowledge when discussing the spa shootings.
Investigators said there’s no evidence yet that suspect, Robert Long, accused of murdering eight people in Atlanta and Cherokee County, six of them Asian women, targeted the victims because of race.
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But they’ve not ruled out charging him with a hate crime.
“Whether or not Long had any racial bias or not, the impact is being felt very deeply,” Goodman said.
Senior Pastor Dr. Jamal Bryant welcomed a small contingent of Asian-American leaders to Sunday service at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church in DeKalb County.
“Because when we come together, we force America to be great,” Bryant said. “We identify, we know what the pain is, but we cannot be divided in this hour.”
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Cox Media Group
