Anti-Asian hate crimes have risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with reporting database Stop AAPI Hate receiving almost 3,000 accounts of hate crimes since spring 2020.
Although roughly one in four Bay Area residents is Asian, according to Bay Area Census data, this region is not an exception to the national trend. There have been multiple documented instances of violent anti-Asian sentiment and attacks in the past few months, with some directed at those of Asian descent over the age of 60.
In response to the issue, UC Berkeley Chancellor Carol Christ sent out a campuswide email Tuesday in support of the Asian community, expressing sympathy and solidarity with those who are affected by this violence. In the email, Christ provided resources for those in need, which included websites for reporting incidents, campus counseling and campus affinity groups.