Coronavirus Hate Crime Hotline Aims To Stop NY Bias Incidents

NEW YORK, NY – In an effort to combat increasing numbers of reported hate crimes, New York Attorney General Letitia James announced Monday the launch of a new hotline for reporting bias-based attacks.

It comes as reports of harassment and assaults, as well as rhetoric against Asian Americans, have increased during the new coronavirus outbreak.

In the announcement Monday afternoon, the attorney general's office said there has been a rise over the last several weeks in anti-Asian rhetoric, including the use of terms such as "Chinese virus," which has created a stigma around Asian communities.

People who have experienced hate crimes and bias-based incidents are encouraged to call the hotline, which will continue indefinitely, at 1-800-771-7755 or email civil.rights@ag.ny.gov.

"As we face an unprecedented and uncertain time for New York, the United States and the world, we must reiterate the fact that this pandemic does not give anyone an excuse to be racist, xenophobic or biased," Attorney General James said in the statement.

The attorney general's office will be working with local law enforcement on this issue, the statement said. Local law enforcement is responsible for criminally prosecuting such incidents and the attorney general's office said it will connect victims and impacted communities with available resources.

"During this public health crisis, people are fighting for their lives – fighting to keep their families safe," said U.S. Representative Grace Meng in the statement. "Yet these [sic] incessant, irresponsible and atrocious naming of COVID-19 as the 'Chinese virus' or 'Wuhan virus' is endangering the lives of Asian Americans."

In the announcement, the attorney general's office said the rise in hate crimes and bias-based incidents follows a record number of hate crimes over the past several months in New York, which signals an "urgent need for action."

"No one should live in fear for their life because of who they are, what they look like or where they come from," Attorney General James said. "I encourage all victims of discriminatory actions stemming from this pandemic to contact my office."