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UW-Eau Claire hosts virtual panel responding to anti-Asian racism

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UWEC Racism Panel 1 04-30-2020

Eau Claire (WQOW) - Asian-American communities have experienced more discrimination since the COVID-19 pandemic, and on Thursday, UW-Eau Claire hosted a virtual panel to respond to anti-Asian racism in the Chippewa Valley.

Leaders from Eau Claire and Minnesota talked about how national anti-Asian rhetoric has impacted their daily lives.

One speaker mentioned how phrases like "Wuhan virus" or "China virus" contribute to hateful behavior.

As news 18 previously reported, the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council received nearly 1,500 reports of coronavirus-related discrimination nationwide since March 19.

The national report also mentions Asians being denied transportation, harassed online, and getting drinks thrown on them.

"My family and friends are afraid to be out in the community. They are afraid to walk alone in the street. Just taking a walk in the neighborhood is scary at this time. You never know what's going to happen," said Pa Thao, executive director of the Black and Brown Womyn Power Coalition in Eau Claire.

Newly-elected Eau Claire City Council member Mai Xiong also said she's interested in building a task force to help combat this issue.

Katrina Lim

Katrina Lim joined the News 18 team in August 2019 as a multimedia journalist. She was born and raised in Jersey City, New Jersey but has lived in all time zones of the contiguous U.S.A.

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