Asians in UK tackle racism after violent hate attacks: ‘we know the problem is global’
- Celebrities promote #StopAsianHate campaign after violent attacks on Asians in the UK
- ‘If we don’t do anything about this … we will be like America,’ warns community leader
Britain-born East and South East Asians (ESEA) are speaking out against racism after violent anti-Asian hate attacks in the UK.
Among the latest to do so was Crazy Rich Asians actor Gemma Chan, who along with other celebrities is helping promote the #StopAsianHate crowdfunding campaign to raise money for community groups. The call for cash met its initial £50,000 (US$70,000) target in just two days.
Other supporters of the campaign include actor Benedict Wong, Chan’s Crazy Rich Asians co-star Henry Golding and model and fashion designer Alexa Chung.
“Whilst much of the focus regarding anti-Asian attacks has been on the US, we know the problem is global – including a disturbing rise in hate crimes against people of ESEA appearance in the UK,” Chan wrote on her Instagram page.
The British-born actor said that her own parents had been subjected to verbal abuse since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Her mother worked for the National Health Service for many years.
“Whilst I’m relieved that these attacks didn’t become physical, unfortunately that is often not the case.”