Sandra Oh is calling for an end to anti-Asian violence after the shooting in three Atlanta area spas this week, which left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent.
The former “Grey’s Anatomy” student joined thousands of people across the country who gathered in various cities over the weekend to demand justice for the victims of the shootings and to condemn the recent increase in hate crimes against Americans in Asian origin.
On Saturday, Oh made a surprise appearance at a Stop Asian Hate rally in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where he is currently filming his new Netflix series, “The Chair”.
After introducing himself and thanking the organizers for giving supporters the “opportunity to be together, to be together and to feel each other”, Oh addressed the crowd with a brief but exciting speech.
“For many of us in our community, this is the first time that we have been able to express our fear and our anger, and I really am very grateful for everyone willing to listen,” Oh, holding a megaphone, he said in videos, which were widely shared on social networks. “One thing I know is that many in our community are very scared and I understand that. And one way to overcome our fear is to reach out to our community. “
“Everyone here … I will challenge everyone here, if you see anything, will you help me? If you see one of our brothers and sisters in need, will you help us? ”She said, as people shouted,” Yes! ” in response. “We must understand, as Asian Americans, we just need to reach out to our brothers and sisters and say, ‘Help me and I am here.'”
Oh concluded his speech by shouting: “I am proud to be Asian! I belong here! “Before encouraging other members of the community to do the same.
“Many of us don’t have a chance to say that, so I just wanted to give us the opportunity to be able to shout it,” she said.
Days before the rally, Oh posted on Instagram about the shooting in Atlanta with a message directing his followers to support and donate to various organizations that benefit the Asian community.
The “Killing Eve” star is one of the countless celebrities who have condemned anti-Asian violence in recent days. Gemma Chan, Lana Condor, Rihanna, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Grande, Daniel Dae Kim and others have spoken out publicly against the attacks.
“Please pay attention to what is happening. This is the latest in a wave of horrific attacks on the Asian community, ”wrote Chan on Instagram earlier this week. “Racism and misogyny are not mutually exclusive. In fact, sexualized racial harassment and violence are something that many of us face regularly. “
“Wake up … your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, horrified, sick and very angry,” added Condor in a separate post. “Please check how we are doing, please stay with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if he is not suffering publicly on social media. “
Earlier this week, Kim made an appearance before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to urge lawmakers to pass bills that address racism and discrimination against Asian Americans.
“There are several moments in the history of a country that mark its course in an indelible way for the future. For Asian Americans, that moment is now, ”said the Korean-American actor in his speech. “What happens now and over the next few months will send a message to future generations about whether we are important, whether the country we call home chooses to erase or include us, dispense or respect us, make us invisible or see us. Because you can consider us statistically insignificant now, but one more fact that has no alternative is that we are the fastest growing racial group in the country. We are 23 million people. We are united and we are waking up. “
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