Protesters gather at the Georgia Capitol to demand justice for the Atlanta shootings

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Protesters gathered in Georgia to demand justice for the victims of the Atlanta shootings that left eight people dead, six of whom were Asians.

Large gangs of protesters gathered in Liberty Plaza in Atlanta to mourn the victims of the shootings and denounce hatred against the Asian American community.

The video shared by Fox 5 Atlanta reporter Brooke Zauner on Twitter showed a diverse group of people gathered in the plaza. The crowd wore masks and held placards that read “Stop Asian Hate.”

A separate video shared by NBC News reporter Kathy Park shows protesters wearing masks, holding flags and showing signs saying “Stop Asian Hate” and “Stop Asian Hurting.”

You can hear the crowd singing “this is how the community looks”.

Another video from NBC’s Deepa Shivaram shows marchers leaving and cars honking in the background.

Also present were Georgia Sens, newly elected. Jon OssoffJon OssoffBiden and Harris discuss voting rights with Stacey Abrams in Atlanta Biden: Georgia officials “helped save our democracy” by pressuring 2020 against Biden and Harris to meet with Stacey Abrams during the trip to Georgia MORE (D) i Raphael WarnockRaphael WarnockBiden and Harris discuss voting rights with Stacey Abrams in Atlanta Biden: Georgia officials “helped save our democracy” by pressuring 2020 against Biden and Harris to meet with Stacey Abrams during the trip to Georgia MORE (D), who went to the rally. The senators shared photos on Twitter about themselves addressing the crowd.

“@SenatorWarnock and I went to today’s rally in Atlanta to mourn the victims of this week’s massacre and express our love and support for the Asian-American community in Georgia and across the country. Thanks to the organizers, ”tweeted Ossoff.

Warnock also shared his support for the community, stating, “We all have a stake in the well-being of others.”

A fire at three spas in the Atlanta area left eight people dead Tuesday night, six of whom were Asian women.

Law enforcement has identified the victims as 74-year-old Soon Chung Park; Hyun Jung Grant, 51; Suncha Kim, 69; Yong Ae Yue, 63; Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33; Xiaojie Tan, 49; Daoyou Feng, 44; and Paul Andre Michels, 54. Elcias R. Hernandez-Ortiz, 30, was seriously injured in the shootings, according to a New York Times report.

The suspect, Robert Aaron Long, faces four counts of murder and one count of aggravated assault in connection with the shootings.

Police said Long admitted to the murder, but stated he had no racial motives. Instead, he said he had a “sexual addiction” and saw spas as a “temptation” he wanted to “eliminate.”

Authorities said this week after the attack that it is too early to determine whether the shootings were a hate crime, but that the investigation continues.

The event has brought a broader conversation around anti-Asian hatred and violence to the forefront of public debate. Anti-Asian violence has increased over the past year amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Defense group Atura AAPI Hate said in a report released last Tuesday that it received nearly 3,800 reports of hate-related incidents against Asian Americans between March 19, 2020 and February 28, 2021. More than 68 percent of incidents they were verbal harassment.

President BidenJoe Biden: Russia and China increase tensions with the White House New challenges arise for Biden after a strong start Feinstein opens the door to support filibuster reform MORE and Vice President Harris traveled to Georgia on Friday and condemned the killings and anti-Asian hatred.

The rally in Atlanta was one of multiple rallies and vigils held Saturday to denounce anti-Asian violence and hatred.

Protesters gathered in Houston, Texas, at Discovery Green for a “Stop the Asian and the Hate Encounter.” KHOU reporter Janelle Bludau shared on twitter that approximately 500 people attended.

Bludau also shared a video of the vigil being held. Protesters can be seen standing while someone sings “Amazing Grace.”

A similar rally was held in Pittsburgh on Saturday, during which Canadian-American actress Sandra Oh spoke.

“For many in our community, it’s the first time we’ve even been able to express our fear and our anger, and I’m very grateful to everyone who wants to hear,” the Killing Eve actress said. “.

“One thing I know many of our community is very afraid of, and I understand that, and one way to overcome our fears is to reach out to our communities,” he continued.

Demonstrations they were also celebrated Wednesday in Atlanta, as well as in Washington and New York.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered in DC’s, Chinatown to hold a vigil and march, and hundreds gathered in New York City to hold a vigil in honor of the victims.

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