An FBI intelligence report projects that hate crimes against Asian-Americans will surge as the coronavirus pandemic impacts more communities.
A joint letter by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and Center for American Progress called on mayors and governors to help, Big 2/Fox 24 reported
“While many elected officials have denounced this racism, we believe everyone should be united in overcoming COVID-19 and rejecting hate,” the letter said.
Some people associate the coronavirus with simply “being Asian,” federal authorities said. The March 14 stabbing of an Asian-American family in a Midland Sam’s Club was cited by the FBI in its report, Big 2/Fox 24 said.
“The suspect indicated that he stabbed the family because he thought the family was Chinese, and infecting people with the coronavirus,” Big 2/Fox 24 said, citing the FBI report.
Luke Young, president of Midland-Odessa Chinese Association, said their community was concerned right away.
“Sometimes we feel small. So when this happens, we were a little bit helpless and basically terrified,” Young told Big 2/Fox 24.
Young, an anesthesiologist for Odessa Regional Medical Center and Midland Memorial Hospital, calls himself a proud West Texan for 30 years who has raised his children here.
“We do have people, mothers especially, as you said, have concerns. Now they’re afraid of taking kids back to school, and also worried going to the supermarket. And of course, extremely worried, just by simply wearing a mask,” Young told Big 2/Fox 24.
The Asian-American community donated medical gear to local officers to remind the community they are part of it.
“There is no excuse for committing a crime based on some type of racial motivation,” Midland County District Attorney Laura Nodolf told Big 2/Fox 24.
Nodolf plans to pursue first-degree felony charges against Jose Gomez, who was charged for the Midland Sam’s Club stabbing.