ITHACA, N.Y.(WENY)--  The Ithaca Asian American Association is hosting a Stop Asian Hate Discussion on May 27th from 7-8 PM. 

This event will gather the voices of various Asian American Pacific Islanders to discuss how the local community can support the AAPI community and will take place over Zoom from 7 PM to 8 PM. 

This discussion comes at a time when hate crimes against Asian Americans have increased by 150%. In response to this increase in Anti-Asian hate crimes, President Joe Biden signed a bill that aims to address Anti-Asian Hate Crimes. 

This bill was passed in a vote of 94 to 1 in the Senate and 364-62 in the House. This is also the first legislative action that Congress has taken to protect people of Asian descent. The Bill will establish a position at the Justice Department to expedite the agency’s review of hate crimes and expand the channels to allow people to report them. It would also aim to create state-run hate crime hotlines, provide grants to law enforcement agencies such as the Ithaca Police department to train their officers to identify hate crimes, and create public education campaigns around bias. 

Hei Hei Depew, Member of the Ithaca Asian American Association said the past year living in America has been very uncomfortable but she does believe this bill is a step in the right direction. 

“When we walk down the streets we are not entirely sure if we are going to be met with aggression because of the way that we look if people are going to equate us with a disease if people are going to look at us and antagonize us, ” said Depew.  “It is a step that is being taken that is making a lot of Asian people feel a little bit safer,” said Depew. 

While over 6,600 Asian American incidents have been reported in the last year, Depew said discrimination against the AAPI community is nothing new. 

“It is something that has been an issue longer than a year, Asian people in America I think have had an issue with feeling othered often,” said Depew. 

Depew said in the past anti-Asian incidents would come in the form of derogatory comments such as “where are you from?” or picking on the way AAPI community members' names sound. 

“It has crossed that line from microaggressions and these mis-commentary and the jokes that are hurtful, to something that is violent and dangerous and truly physically hurtful for us,” said Depew. 

Many Americans do not understand that the derogatory comments they make towards AAPI community members can and are having lasting effects on their way of life, that is one of the reasons the IAAA is holding this Asian hate discussion.  The discussion will also provide community members with the information they need to assist the AAPI community. 

“Really we are hoping to let people share their stories, let people in the community know who we are and just share some information and really provide some helpful tips on bystander intervention,” said Depew.