Celebrities of Asian descent speak out against the string of violent and unprovoked attacks, the latest being the deadly Atlanta shootings, which have left Asian-Americans feeling increasingly unsafe
On March 16, metro Atlanta was rocked by a shooting rampage at three spa businesses that left eight people dead–most of them Asian women, four of Korean descent. The mass shootings, which happened all in the span of 45 minutes, was carried out by 21-year-old suspect Robert Aaron Long.
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Long was arrested on the same night at the end of a police chase. He was on his way to Florida to carry out more shooting when he was arrested, according to Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
“A motive is still not clear, but a crime against any community is a crime against us all,” Bottoms said in a statement. “I have remained in close contact with the White House and APD as they work with federal, state and local partners to investigate the suspect who is responsible for this senseless violence in our city.” Long has since been charged with eight counts of murder and homicide and one count of aggravated assault.
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As Atlanta authorities continue to investigate the motive behind the deadly shootings, US President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, as well as Asian celebrities from around the world took to social media to express their heartbreak and frustration. “We need to stop the dehumanisation of Asians. We need to stop the scapegoating of Asians for Covid. We need to unite against all forms of hate,” Crazy Rich Asians actress Gemma Chan wrote in an Instagram post.