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A group of Democratic lawmakers is urging the public to participate in a national day of action to condemn the rise of anti-Asian attacks.

“Last week’s massacre in the Atlanta area was horrifying, and it only heightened the fear that Asian Americans have been forced to endure,” Rep. Grace Meng (D-N.Y.) said during the news conference Monday.

She spoke of how people have rallied in support of the Asian American community amid the rise in racist rhetoric and violence against its members, fueled by the pandemic.

“Black, Hispanic, Native American communities have stood with Asian Americans throughout the past year and especially in the last few days,” Meng said. “Their allyship has been critical in our fight, and it’s meant a lot to me and our entire Asian community.”

She said Friday will be a “Stop Asian Hate day of action and healing” and called on individuals, organizations and corporations to post statements “in support of the community” and to hold a moment of silence for the victims of last week’s shootings.

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.) suggested virtual action, tweets, live events that are streamed or virtual events. She also called for being “unequivocal in calling last week’s shooting what it was — a hate crime.”

“That law may have its own standard that needs to be met,” Chu said. “But we do not need to wait for the shooter to tell us that he was targeting a specific race and gender. His actions screamed it.”

During the news conference, Rep. Andy Kim (D-N.J.) began by speaking directly to members of the Asian American community. He described seeing panicked texts about the shooting as he tucked his children into bed.

“We often try to hide our emotions or keep that out of sight, but right now it’s important that we share what we’re going through.” Kim said. “Discrimination against our community has existed far before covid and it will last after covid, but certainly this last year we’ve seen gasoline poured on that fire. We need to make sure we’re looking out for each other and thinking about what comes next.”