Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at American Asian Federation's Anti-Asian Hate Rally

February 27, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Thank you. Jo-Ann, I want to thank you, Congress Member Grace Meng, everyone who has joined together to fight hatred. We will not accept hatred in New York City.

[Applause]

Stop Asian hate. This is a message we have to get out, not just in New York City, but all over this country. Stop Asian hate, stop it now. We saw a man killed in San Francisco, killed for walking down a street because of who he was, because this hatred has been built and fomented and led from Washington D.C., from the White House of Donald Trump. That's what has been done to this country. People told to hate each other in a crisis where we need each other. We need to love each other and support each other. We will not allow hatred in New York City. And that is not just a statement of good intention. Anyone who commits an act of hatred against the Asian-American community will be found, will be arrested, will be prosecuted. That is what we need. 

We have to show people we mean business. We have to change how we educate this entire community. Because when you hear voices trying to blame Asian-Americans for the crisis we're all in, and that is wrong. It is unacceptable and we will fight it. We will fight it in our schools with a curriculum that teaches respect for Asian-Americans and all they have done to build this city and this country. We will do it every day in our words and our deeds. And everyone, this must end. And every community needs to stand with the Asian community right now. Because if Asian-Americans are being attacked, every single one of us is vulnerable. This hate doesn't stop with one group. It spreads to every group. History has taught us that over and over again. So, brothers and sisters together, we will stop Asian hate. Together, we will stop Asian hate once and for all in this city and in this nation. Thank you. Keep fighting. God bless you all.