CLEVELAND — On Monday, Cleveland's City Council passed a resolution to condemn racism against Asian Americans due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
According to the resolution, during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Asians and Asian Americans have been subjected to racist attacks that put their families, communities, and businesses at risk.
City council is condemning all manners of racism, xenophobia, hate speech, intolerance, and discrimination in Cleveland, especially against Asians and Asian American Pacific Islanders.
"People of Asian descent in Cleveland have experienced acts of violence and aggression against them. Asian-owned businesses have had a significant decline in customers, resulting from unfounded coronavirus fears," the ordinance states.
City council is asking the Ohio Department of Health to incorporate anti-racism messaging in their public education programs.
While not local to Cleveland, one recent instance of racism against Asian Americans is NBA player Jeremy Lin saying that he's been called coronavirus on the court.
"Being an Asian American doesn't mean we don't experience poverty and racism,” Lin said. “Being a nine-year NBA veteran doesn't protect me from being called ‘coronavirus’ on the court.”
RELATED: Basketball’s Jeremy Lin says he’s been called ‘coronavirus’ on court
