Attacks against people of Asian descent aren’t new in the history of the US, but recent spike in anti-Asian incidents post-Covid, panelists at a recent online seminar organised by top American think tank East-West Centre argued. The context of the post-Covid violence against Asians is more worrying, Representative Ted Lieu told attendees at the ‘EWC Live: Asian Americans Unsilenced’ online seminar, covered by IANS.

With the numbers of anti-Asian attacks projected to grow, other panelists speaking at the seminar called for more activism and collaborations with other ethnic groups. The issue of anti-Asian hate is getting attention “from the very highest level of our government”, Lieu said, adding: “I think we’re in a different political environment. I think you’re seeing the political awakening of the Asian American community.”