By Raymond Douglas Chong, AsAmNews Staff Writer
The Asian American and Pacific Islander community in the Great Houston Region in Texas rallied for Unity Against Hate Saturday. They joined 17 cities across the country for the National Rally.
Diverse crowds heard voices speak against acts of hate against AAPI and all other communities in a show of solidarity.
A crowd of 200 people rallied at Fort Bend County Justice Center in Richmond, Texas. Fort Bend County has been called the most ethnically diverse county in America.
“In America, there is no place for hate,” said KP George, Ft. Bend County Judge. “I am American of Indian descent. No place in Fort Bend County for hate.”
He was joined by top Fort Bend County law enforcement officials including Brian Middleton, District Attorney; Sheriff Eric Fagan; and Nabil Shike, Constable Precinct 4.
“The nation should live its creed. The surge of Asian hate must end.’ “Let us remain true to the creed, let us stop hate,” said Middleton, an African American.
“All this hate has to stop,” said Fagan, also an African American. “As your Sheriff, I am committed to stop this hate. With God on our side, we will succeed.”
Constable Shike, a Pakistani American, said “I stand in solidarity with the AAPI community. Hate does not belong in America. We will tolerate hate against AAPI community.”
Various elected officials and community leaders, including the NAACP, joined many AAPI trailblazers for the rally.
The protest was interspersed with chants of “Love, not hate, makes America great!”, “One thing is clear to me. We are here for Unity!” The crowd blew yellow whistle to symbolize Unity.
State Representatives Ron Reynolds, African American, and Jacey Jetton, Korean American, presented a Texas House resolution in support of the Unity Against Hate National Rally, to Qaisar Q Imam, president of the Asian Pacific Islander Public Affairs which organized the event.
Imam ended the day with a call for action, for Unity Against Hate. Actions include civic engagement and voter registration.
Adeel Akhtar of the Fort Bend County Citizens Engagement Group served as emcee.
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Wow—how one sided. The Republicans had a rally at Sugar Land Town Center from 11-1 the same day where the Governor appeared. There were Asians, Muslim Americans and many participating with tables and tents. Funny how you only chose to cover the Democrat rally. Shame on you.
https://www.click2houston.com/news/local/2021/05/15/gov-greg-abbott-speaks-against-asian-hate-during-rally-in-sugar-land/
This was the Republican rally to stop the hate particularly targeting Asians.