Asian American caucus lawmakers hold Vigil rally in Evanston

On Thursday, April 1, 2021 at 5:00 p.m. State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and MWRD Commissioner Josina Morita alongside local elected officials and community organizations joined raising their voices and hands against violence in the Asian American community and stand up against hate in all forms.

More than 300 people gathered in Lovelace Park, Evanston, for the candlelight vigil to commemorate the Atlanta shooting victims and to call attention to recent multiply anti-Asian violence.

Rally participants were asked to bring candles and posters to the event. The many protesters from around Evanston and nearby towns and describing themselves as representatives of diverse and multi-faith Asian communities across the Evanston neighborhood suburbs.

8 people were shot and killed in the Atlanta area when a shooter targeted numerous spas in the area. 6 of those victims were Asian women.

Anti-Asian hate crimes saw a surge over the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. There have been nearly 3,800 reports of incidents targeting the Asian community since Pandemic start.

At the candlelight vigil in federal, state, local lawmakers, religious leader’s community activists and several social and humanitarian organizations react to rising in targeted violence, including Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, Reverend Dr. Michael C. R. Nabors, State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, Maricar Ramos, Sophie Yang, Rabbi Andrea C. London, Asayo hisbe and others.

“The Asian American community has a long history of enduring xenophobia and racism all over the USA. Enough is Enough And it’s been going on long before the Atlanta shootings. A hate crime against Asians is racially motivated. We were attacked, blamed, scapegoated and harassed. we all must stand together against all types of hate in this country. Several attendees overcome their emotions when they join in prayer together.” Speaker said.

A minute's silence had taken place for victims of Atlanta-area spas. A Dozen of Pakistani community members showed up in the leadership of Mohammed Yasin Chohan to the rally in solidarity with Asian.

Lawmaker encouraged attendees to support two state house bills currently on the Illinois general assembly. One bill is extending the hate crime protection act based on immigration and citizenship status, which was submitted by Asian American Caucus leaders.

The Asian American caucus plans to work Jointly Black and Latino caucuses to push out legislation to “achieve common goals of a more Impartial for Illinois.”

The rally was co-sponsored by dozens of local nonprofits such as Second Baptist Church, Evanston/North Shore NAACP, Evanston Unitarian Church, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church, Bethel AME Church, Bethany Baptist Church, Beth Emet the Free Synagogue, North minster Presbyterian Church, Democratic Party of Evanston, Organization for Positive Action and Leadership, Evanston Cradle to Career and Jewish United Fund.