Stop Asian Hate Rally at Florida Capitol
Stop Asian Hate Rally at Florida Capitol
In 1990, the author of this article led students in an organized march at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton, Florida to honor young Chinese democratic demonstrators standing up against tyranny at Tiananmen Square in Beijing, China the prior year. In 2021, Chinese American and other activists from a new generation are standing up in Florida against hate crimes and discrimination Asian Americans now face.
More than 100 people showed up at the Florida Capitol on March 28, 2021 to show solidarity with Tallahassee’s Asian American community. The Dream Defenders, Tallahassee Community Action Committee, and Freedom Road Socialism Organization gathered with organizers for Florida’s Stop Asian Hate Rally at the Florida Capitol. Together these activists are protesting violence against Asian Americans and defending liberty, democracy, and equality, the cornerstones of the American Dream described in sermons by the late Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Civil rights are for all Americans.
Daisy Sim said at the Stop Asian Hate Rally in Tallahassee she wanted people to come together with 60 other cities holding similar demonstrations across the United States of America.Sim said she’s excited about the turnout but hopes the support for Asian Americans doesn’t dissipate over time. She said “I think this says that Tallahassee is receptive to it, but I hope that we keep this momentum up because while it’s trending, can we keep it up in the long run?” asked Sim. “That’s my hope if people will show up.” Movements must recognize victory is a long-distance run so organizing structures and functions for advocay organizations is necessary.
The United States has counted nearly 4,000 hate crimes against Asian-Americans in the past year. The United States Constitution and Florida Constitution both guarantee all people equal protection of the laws. The United States Justice Department tracks hate crimes. For federal statistics on hate crimes which are steadily increasing not just in Florida click here: https://www.justice.gov/hatecrimes/hate-crime-statistics.
The Florida Attorney General’s (AGs) office publishes an annual report on hate crime. The Florida AG’s website contains recent reports and complaints. Historical reports can be accessed via the State Library of Florida. The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) tracks white power extremist groups in Florida and across the United States of America. For such domestic terror hate groups in your particular area of Florida and across the state, check here: https://www.newsbreak.com/n/0Ys9laP6?s=influencer.
The Florida Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines Hate Crime as a committed or attempted criminal act by any person or group of persons against a person or the property of another person or group, which in any way constitutes an expression of hatred toward the victim because of his/her personal characteristics. Personal characteristics include:
- race/color
- gender/gender identity
- religion
- ethnicity/ancestry/national origin
- sexual orientation
- advanced age
- mental/physical disability
- homeless status
Florida Statutes prohibit hate crimes. A couple of these significant Florida Statutes include:
775.085 — Evidencing prejudice while committing offense; reclassifications.
877.19 — Hate Crime Reporting Act
Violence against Asian Ametricans must stop and there is only way to do it. “Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty” according to Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. It is also the motto of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) which defends people against violations of their civil and constitutional rights.
The ACLU of Florida has sent the following letter to Florida Attorney General Asley Moody regarding discrimination against Asian Americans in the state: https://www.aclufl.org/en/aclu-florida-letter-office-attorney-general-re-asian-american-discrimination.
The ACLU of Florida is even representing a Chinese scientist complaining of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) profiling of Asian Americans and accompanying false discrimatory accusations. https://www.aclufl.org/en/news/chinese-american-scientist-and-his-family-are-battling-fbis-profiling-court
If you face discrimination in Florida, you can contact the ACLU of Florida here: https://www.aclufl.org/en/how-get-legal-help
Sources:
https://www.wtxl.com/news/local-news/activists-hold-stop-asian-hate-rally-at-florida-capitol
http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Crime-Data/Hate-Crimes.aspx
