October 28, 2024
The racist, anti-immigrant rhetoric at the Trump campaign’s NYC event actively endangers AAPIs, immigrants, and people of color.
At a Trump campaign rally in New York City this weekend, numerous speakers gave remarks entrenched in hate, racism, sexism, and xenophobia. During the event, which has drawn comparisons to a 1939 Nazi rally at the same venue, speakers falsely stated that Kamala Harris is Samoan and Malaysian, spread hate-fueled disinformation about immigrants, and disparaged communities of color, including Puerto Ricans and Latinos.
We’re outraged by the bigoted remarks and disinformation that Donald Trump and public figures like Tony Hinchcliffe and Tucker Carlson spewed at the event. Stop AAPI Hate’s data and other existing research show a connection between bigoted political rhetoric and acts of hate, so we are deeply concerned that this dangerous rhetoric will fuel more hate and violence against immigrants, people of color, and other targeted groups.
Throughout history, political leaders have time and again played into existing narratives that scapegoat communities of color and immigrants for our nation’s economic and societal problems. It’s a dangerous political strategy that aims to divide and control the American people by manufacturing fear and creating animus against targeted communities.
But AAPI communities and our allies are fighting back against racism and scapegoating. As our recent research suggests — the rise in political scapegoating and racism has been a strong motivator for AAPIs to take action and exercise our growing political power. Nearly 50% of AA/PIs have recently experienced an act of hate, and we are engaging in resistance at unprecedented levels.
We cannot allow political figures or any public figure to spread such dangerous rhetoric. It is not normal, and it is exactly these kinds of racist remarks and mistruths that fuel hate and divide our country. We call on leaders across the nation to end unnecessary fear-mongering and rhetoric that endangers our safety and our democracy. We deserve leaders who engage in meaningful debate and uplift the needs, strengths, and contributions of Asians, Asian Americans, and other communities of color.
