CLEVELAND — Demonstrators took to the streets Saturday afternoon to protest hate and violence targeted at Asian Americans that has been on the rise across the country over the past several months.
The event began at 2 p.m. at Public Square in Downtown Cleveland.
With May being Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, demonstrators addressed the issues happening in the United States, calling for an end to the violence against AAPI people.
"We're all Americans living here in the United States and we all share the same values and the same goals. We all want to thrive in this country, we all want to belong in this country, and we all want to be welcomed in this country," said Elaine Tso, CEO of Asian Services in Action, Inc.
The event is one of five this weekend in Ohio and part of a nationwide movement supported by the Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association.
"The nationwide rally is to show compassion and solidarity in wake of the rising hate incidents against Asian Americans and other minority groups nationally and call for actions, and for community members to get together to see and support each other after a challenging time coping with the pandemic," APAPA said.
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