Iran Press/America: The measure, passed in the Senate by an overwhelming 94-1 majority, would direct a US Justice Department review of hate crimes and provide support for local law enforcement responding to violent incidents, Aljazeera reported.
In the past year, US police have seen a surge in racially motivated crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, including the shooting in Georgia last month that killed six women of Asian descent.
“It just turns your stomach what we’ve seen so far – far too often – in the wake of COVID-19,” Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said following the vote.
In California and New York, homes to large Asian-American populations, there have been alarming incidents of violence.
In March, a 75-year-old, Asian-American man, Pak Ho, died after being shoved to the ground while taking a morning walk near his home in Oakland. A suspect faces assault charges but not a hate crime charge.
Moreover, last year, an Asian immigrant and his two young sons were stabbed and slashed while shopping for groceries in Midland, Texas.
The legislation, which is supported by US President Biden, is next expected to clear the majority Democratic House of Representatives before heading to the president’s desk for his signature.
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