Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) participated in the first stop of Indian American Impact’s national listening tour on September 3 in Norcross, Georgia, where South Asian elected officials, community leaders, and residents gathered to address the rise in “hate, harassment, and violence” targeting South Asian Americans.
The Georgia gathering followed a national roundtable held Wednesday on Capitol Hill and focused on community experiences and ways federal, state, and local leaders can strengthen “prevention, reporting, and accountability,” according to a statement from Krishnamoorthi’s office.
“The rise in hate, harassment, and violence against South Asian Americans demands a response across the country,” Krishnamoorthi said. “After bringing South Asian leaders together in Washington, we are continuing that work here in Georgia with community members and public officials to improve prevention, reporting, and accountability for hate crimes. South Asian Americans have built their lives here, raised their families here, and strengthened communities across this country. We have to stand shoulder to shoulder against hate and violence whenever our communities are targeted.”
The listening session brought together Krishnamoorthi, Virginia Lieutenant Governor Ghazala Hashmi, Georgia State Senator Sheikh Rahman, Georgia State Representative Akbar Ali, Indian American Impact Executive Director Chintan Patel, SAATH founder Rohan Soni, and community leaders and advocates from across Georgia.
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“Participants discussed what South Asian Americans are seeing and experiencing, how government is responding, and what additional steps could help communities confronting hate and discrimination,” the statement added.
The Georgia gathering marked the beginning of Indian American Impact’s national listening tour, which aims to hear directly from community members about their experiences and identify additional measures needed to confront hate targeting South Asian Americans.
Earlier this year, Krishnamoorthi reintroduced the bipartisan Hate Crimes Commission Act. The legislation would establish a bipartisan commission to examine “what is driving hate crimes, including the role of social media and technology, assess barriers to complete reporting, and identify successful prevention and response strategies,” the statement added.
