If you’ve seen the “1,900 percent increase” in anti-Asian hate crimes reported in New York City, here’s some context behind that number: In the first half of 2020, the NYPD counted 20 reported anti-Asian incidents, whereas in 2019, they counted only one incident. We know this represents only a thin sliver of the full picture, because assaults often don’t get reported to authorities.  

The current statistics don’t account for all the ways that hate-motivated assaults have harmed New Yorkers in the past and continue to do so in the wake of COVID-19. 

This is why KACF invests in research and data-based advocacy as critical parts to building a way forward. Our grantee partner, Asian American Federation, says that they counted 500+ anti-Asian incidents in the past year, and they are advocating for community-based solutions for immediate street safety.  

Joo Han, Deputy Director at Asian American Federation, spoke to us about why their research matters, and what we can do as community members. 

“Data puts numbers to the stories we’ve heard,” she told us. “It makes a case for allocating more resources to the needs.”

Support this work by contributing to the KACF COVID-19 Community Action Fund.