Assemblyman William Colton (D – Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach, and Dyker Heights) is saddened by the tragic incident that took place in Atlanta, Georgia where a gunman allegedly killed six Asian women and two others on Tuesday, March 16, 2021, in the evening. The motive for the attacks is under investigation, but it occurred during the awareness of national attention to violence against people of Asian descent and it accrued at the 3 separate spas attacks on Asians that night.

"The incident that took place in Atlanta, Georgia, yesterday is very disturbing. The violence and hateful crimes against people of Asian descent in the United States is on the rise. The numerous incidents that occurred between March 19 of last year and Feb. 28 of this year clearly shows that roughly 503 incidents took place during this period, as reported by “Intelligencer”," Colton stated.

We can't just sit back and let those horrible attacks continue. An act of hate against anyone is against everyone. Violence motivated by a person’s origin, religion, gender or race is especially heinous to all of us. We need to do everything that is in our power to bring these hateful individuals to justice and hold them accountable to the fullest extent of the law. An attack against one of us is an attack against all of us,” Colton continued.

The Asian-American communities in all 50 states are facing a hate crime crisis and all need to speak out and denounce these outrageous hate crimes. Such acts must be fully condemned, and I demand that the courts and judges ensure justice be done to protect society from such vicious crimes. I pray for the victims' families,” Colton added.