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Protesters hold signs during a rally against hate crimes against Asians in front of City Hall in Los Angeles, California, USA on March 27, 2021. REUTERS / Ringo Chiu / file photo
WASHINGTON – Amid reports of a growing number of hate crimes against Asian Americans, United States Attorney General Merrick Garland announced Tuesday that he is launching a 30-day “expedited review” on how the Department of Justice can strengthen its efforts to prosecute hate crimes and improve data. compilation of such incidents.
In his first memo to employees since taking over the department earlier this month, Garland said he wants to find ways to improve reporting of hate crimes, “prioritize criminal investigations and prosecutions” and work with authorities. to address bias cases. that do not meet the legal definition of hate crime.
The recent surge in incidents “requires renewed energy and emphasis on investigation and prosecution, greater community outreach, and better collection of data critical to understanding the nature and scope of hate crimes and hate incidents in all their forms. Garland wrote.
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been raising the alarm about an increase in violence against them that many say coincided with the start of the coronavirus pandemic, which then-President Donald Trump referred to as the “China virus”.
The incidence of hate crimes against Asian Americans increased by 149% in 2020 in 16 major cities compared to 2019, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.
Community fears increased with the shooting deaths of eight people on March 16 at spas in the Atlanta area, six of whom were women of Asian descent.
Police have expressed skepticism that race played a role in the actions of suspected gunman Robert Aaron Long, but advocates for the Asian-American community and lawmakers, including Sen. Tammy Duckworth, an Asian-American, say they believe that it was a hate crime.
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