Res. No. 217
Resolution calling on the United States House of Representatives to pass, H. Res. 151, condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19.
By Council Members Brannan, Powers, Farías, Hanif, Won, Gennaro and Avilés
Whereas, SARS-CoV-2 is the virus known for causing the infectious disease known as COVID-19; and
Whereas, The earliest known cases of COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China; and
Whereas, The origin of the virus has led to increased xenophobia and discrimination against Asian-Americans; and
Whereas, The use of anti-Asian terminology, such as referring to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus” or “Kung Flu,” has continued the scapegoating of Asian-Americans in an attempt to place blame for the spreading of the virus; and
Whereas, New York City, in particular, has experienced a growth of anti-Asian sentiment manifesting through hateful rhetoric, and both physical and cyber harassment; and
Whereas, New York City has seen a drastic increase in physical attacks against Asian-Americans which include Asian-Americans being pushed onto subway tracks, physically assaulted, spit on and in at least one case, doused in harmful chemicals leading the victim to flee to the emergency room with second degree burns; and
Whereas, In April of 2020, during the height of the pandemic, 248 cases of discrimination and/or harassment were reported to the New York City Commission on Civil and Human Rights (“CCHR”), which found 105 of these cases were perpetrated against people of Asian descent; and
Whereas, The rise of anti-Asian sentiment is cause for deep concern, as in the same period of 2019, there were only five anti-Asian discrimination complaints reported to CCHR; and
Whereas, Congressmember Grace Meng, representing New York City’s 6th Congressional district, introduced H. Res. 151 in the U.S. House of Representatives, which denounces the anti-Asian sentiment caused by the outbreak of COVID-19; and
Whereas, H. Res. 151 highlights the increased anti-Asian sentiment on a national scale, and also specifically cites an incident that occurred in New York City where an Asian woman wearing a mask was kicked and punched at a subway station; and
Whereas, Such discriminatory and violent behavior should not be tolerated, and should be openly addressed and denounced; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States House of Representatives to pass, H. Res. 151, condemning all forms of anti-Asian sentiment as related to COVID-19.
Session 13
LS #4438
01/12/2024
Session 12
AH
LS #4438
02/15/2022