Anti-Asian Violence

“It is a growing community that has often been ignored and neglected, and we want to change that,” said Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Orlando.

Since the pandemic began, there have been thousands of reports of hate crimes and incidents of harassment directed at Asian Americans across the country.

A rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, including a mass shooting in Atlanta has inspired action across the country, including Central Florida. A protest rally is being held Sunday, March 28, at 11 a.m. outside the Walgreens in the Colonial Plaza Mall in downtown Orlando.

Most of the victims were women of Asian descent. Authorities say it's too early to declare the attacks a hate crime – but advocates say there's a pattern that can't be ignored.

Robert Aaron Long, 21, was heading to Florida, where he seemed to be planning to carry out other, similar attacks.