Rally of remembrance and solidarity against Asian hate held downtown

This, following a string of mass shootings in Atlanta, Ga. almost two weeks ago at three separate massage and spa parlours that killed eight people. "With them we can change this world and we can make this world better".

Chinese citizens in the USA should be vigilant against possible discrimination and violence against Asians as hate crimes against Asians in the country have seen an upward trend recently, China's Consulate General in NY said.

A bipartisan group of former US government officials has issued a statement condemning the spike in crimes against Asian-Americans, saying the increase comes as Asians face "wrongful blame for the virus".

"If you have a passion for our country, come and work for our government agencies so that the people who serve this country reflect the people that it serves". Yet we are sometimes still seen as "the foreigner" or "less American" and treated as the "other", the statement read.

"Everyone I know who is Asian has been a victim of violence or harassment, assault", she told AFP in NY. "They're scared to go out as a effect of the violence that's been going on".

Demonstrators marched peacefully down Queen St chanting "Stop Asian hate", "We belong here", and "Love our culture, love our people".

Vancouver police said past year that the spike in anti-Asian hate crimes coincided with the increases in COVID-19 cases last March, but it's unclear if the two are directly linked.

"It is clear that this was a deliberate journey", said California Rep.

McDonald said she heard about the rally through a social network around Vancouver Chinatown issues.

A group of Chinese-Canadian and south east Asian-Canadian organizations banded together to track reports of anti-Asian hate crimes when the COVID-19 pandemic began.

Jennifer Chen, who is the president of Women of Colour Community Leadership Initiative, said it is important for the Asian community to stand up to racism.

"We've been through a lot", Chang said.

Organizers of the rally said they believe conversations with children will help improve the future. "They see with their own eyes, and they feel what they feel".