200 organizations, celebrities back AAPI Day Against Bullying & Hate streaming event on Monday

Some of the celebrities taking part in the 'United We Stand' virtual event on Monday, May 18.

When the coronavirus landed in the US, it unleashed a wave of anti-Asian acts of attacks, harassment and bullying giving more relevance to the annual AAPI Day Against Bullying+Hate on Monday, May 18.

The anti-bullying nonprofit Act to Change is hosting “United We Stand”, a virtual event calling for the end of racism and xenophobia. with a host of AAPI celebrities, community activists and elected officials taking part including John Cho, Kal Penn, Lisa Ling, Rep. Grace Meng, Jose Antonio Vargas Randall Park.

"Our mission at Act To Change is to protect and empower youth within our diverse AAPI communities, including Asian American, Pacific Islander, Sikh, Muslim, LGBTQI, and immigrant youth,” said actor, author, and Act To Change co-founder Maulik Pancholy.

“Act To Change puts together an annual national AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate to stand in solidarity and recommit to our movement," continued Pancholy. "Sadly, COVID-19 has only exacerbated the xenophobia and racism that AAPI communities have always faced. It’s inspiring to see leaders and individuals from all over the country stand with us, honor the legacy of Vincent Chin, and pledge today and everyday, to stand up against bullying and hate.”

This day of prevention and awareness comes at a critical point of time where Asian Americans are increasingly facing racist because COVID-19 is believed to have made its first appearance in China. The knowledge has led to the avoidance of and attacks towards anyone of Asian descent, regardless of if they have had no contact from anyone related to the epicenter. 

Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council’s Stop AAPI Hate has received more than 1,900 reports of hate crimes against Asians since March. “United We Stand” is a call for communities to stand together against violence, xenophobia, and racism.

Over 200 organizations are supporting the event.

Moderated by actor and author Pancholy, among the special guests are:

• Tan France, TV personality
• Lisa Ling, journalist
• John Cho, actor
• Padma Lakshmi, food expert & author
• Kal Penn, actor, producer & former Associate Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement
• Randall Park, actor, writer & producer
• New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and First Lady Chirlane McCray
• Jose Antonio Vargas, founder, Define American
• Helen Zia, author/activist
• Poorna Jagannathan, actor, Netflix’s Never Have I Ever
• Hudson Yang, actor, Fresh Off the Boat
• Celia Au and Lawrence Kao, actors, Wu Assassins
• Punam Patel, actor, Netflix’s SPECIAL
• Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06)
• Bing Chen, chairman, Gold House & general partner, AUM Group
• Michelle Lee, editor-in -chief, Allure

The streaming will be 2:30 p.m.-4 p.m. Monday. More details at acttochange.org/dayagainstbullying. Live stream information will be provided upon registration.