In March, the Greater Princeton Branch of AYLUS (GPA) supported the STOP ASIAN HATE movement, and on March 27th, about 3000 people of all races, among whom there were ~50 GPA members and their parents, attended the rally hosted in Princeton!
Further, we encouraged GPA members to think about what they heard during the event and tell us their thoughts either in writing or by video recording. So here they are:
GPA member Sarah Liu (3/28, 2 hrs): Discrimination against Asians has always existed, but recently, because of the Asian Community being blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic, hate crimes against the Asian American Pacific Islander Community have increased. This affects the lives of Asian Americans as they are becoming afraid for their family members, friends, relatives, and themselves, taking away the security of the Asian American Pacific Islander community. The speeches made at the rally have helped raise awareness of our community’s treatment as people are being hurt because of their race and color. We will continue to fight our way through the mistreatment and stand in solidarity with the victims of the Asian hate crimes.
Bergen Branch President Maggie Yan (3/28, 2 hrs): It was amazing to see so many people standing in solidarity with the Asian community. Over 750 people from all over Bergen County showed up at the BeFortLee square in Fort Lee to hear the voices from the Asian community, listen to their thoughts, their pain, their grief; and to also march with Asian community through the streets of Fort Lee. There was also a speech about the history and current state of the fetishization of Asian women that was given by a member of the Youth Council of Fort Lee (which was the group that organized the rally and march). She talked about the history of fetishizing Asian women and how the damage still continues today; and she spoke in such a strong, powerful manner that caught the attention of many people. As a young Asian woman, I was thankful that another voice, the Asian American woman voice, could be heard.
Cassie Wang interviewed GPA members Audrey Wang (3/26, 2 hrs) and her friend Anna Pierson, who came all the way from Metuchen, New Jersey:
GPA member David Fengqi Wen (3/28, 5 hrs): The speeches on Saturday during the Stop Asian Hate Rally were inspirational. As we all mourn for the death of 8 people in Atlanta, we were reminded that this has been happening for centuries. This is not something new. Although we have been mostly silent for the past two centuries, we must now stand up to oppression in solidarity. We are a minority in the United States, but if we stay in solidarity we can also be very powerful. We can only stop hate in America if we stay in solidarity.
GPA member Olivia Ruofei Mao (3/28, 2 hrs): Listening to the speeches against Asian Hate was encouraging. As bias and hate towards the Asian group has been a long existing issue, I’m really happy to know that so many people are willing to stand in solidarity together towards better treatments of the group. Mourning for the 8 precious lives killed, knowing other’s story regarding discrimination, hearing voices standing against racism, I feel really proud to be in the Asian community. In order to move towards a better community without hurt based on race, we need to raise awareness of the existing hate, and promote solidarity against hate together.
GPA member Fiona Fan (3/29, 2 hrs): The rally was very rewarding for me, not only because I was able to support a movement fighting against Asian hate, I was also enlightened by the many great speakers that were present. A common idea that all the speakers touched upon was solidarity, which is especially important in this time of turmoil and social injustice. The rally is a perfect example of solidarity, individuals, no matter what race or age, got together to stand up for the Asian American community, and a perfect way to inspire people to join us in solidarity.
