ABOUT US

OUR STORY

With multiple successive days of horrific news reports revealing yet another swell of racist violence against Asians in March 2021, we faced an overwhelming feeling that we needed to do something - we decided to stand up, speak out, and take action.

Around this time, the Atlanta Spa Shootings resulted in the murder of eight innocent people (six of whom were women of Asian descent). Shortly after, an assailant attacked and hospitalized an 83 year-old Vietnamese man before punching a 75 year-old Chinese grandma in the face here in our own city of San Francisco.

With these and numerous prior racist events weighing heavy on us on March 17, 2021, we not only felt the need to meet up and decompress over a few drinks but also to share and give voice to our frustrations. After some venting, but also feeling inspired by Xiao Zhen Xie (the grandma who fought back!), we decided then that we would no longer sit idly by.

The very next day, we embarked on our journey to DO SOMETHING. We began brainstorming on what we could do, and how we could improve physical safety by empowering the Asian community directly.

The “Asians Are Strong” rally and movement was born.

Freshly baked bread with ingredients on cutting board.

Why did we choose the name “Asians Are Strong”?

Anti-Asian hate is a complex issue and must be addressed internally by the Asian community and externally with other allies and groups.

First, we must rebuild the confidence within our own community. The surge in violent, anti-Asian hate crimes is destroying our community physically, mentally, and emotionally. And we are here to remind them that we are strong! And that they are not alone. And we will change things.

Second, it is to remind the world that the Asian community is strong. We are not easy targets. We are not passive. We will protect our families and community. And we will challenge the model minority myth.