Sandra Oh is calling for an end to anti-Asian violence following a rally in three spas in Atlanta this week, which left eight dead, including six women of Asian descent.
“Grey’s Anatomy” alumni joined thousands across the country who gathered in various cities over the weekend to demand justice for the victims of the shootings and to denounce the recent rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans.
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 fans “the opportunity to be together, sit together and feel each other,” Oh addressed the crowd with a short but emotional speech.
“For many of us in our community, this is the first time we are able to even express our fear and anger and I am very grateful to everyone who wants to listen,” Oh, holding a megaphone, he said in the videos, which were widely distributed on social networks. “One thing I know is that many in our community are very scared and understand that. And one way to get through our fear is to reach our community. ”
“For everyone here … I will challenge everyone here, if you see anything, will you help me? If you see one of our sisters and brothers in need, will you help us? She said as people chanted, “Yes!” in response. “We have to understand, as Asian Americans, we just have to reach out to our sisters and brothers and say, ‘Help me and I’m here. ””
Oh ended his speech by shouting, “I am proud to be Asian! I’m here! ”Before encouraging other members of the community to do the same.
“Many of us don’t have that chance to say that, so we just wanted to give ourselves the opportunity to shout that,” she said.
A few days before the rally, Oh posted on Instagram about the Atlanta shootings with a message directing his followers to support and donate to several organizations that benefit the Asian community.
The “Killing Eve” star is one of the many stars who have condemned the anti-Asian violence in recent days. Gemma Chan, Lana Condor, Rihanna, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ariana Grande, Daniel Dae Kim and others spoke out publicly against the attacks.
“Please pay attention to what is happening. This is the latest increase in horrific attacks on the Asian community, “Chan wrote on Instagram earlier this week. “Racism and misogyny are not mutually exclusive. In fact, sexual harassment and racial violence is something that many of us face on a regular basis. ”
“Wake up … your Asian friends and family are deeply scared, terrified, sick and upset,” Condor added in a separate post. “Please, please login with us, please, stay with us. Please. Your Asian friend needs you, even if he doesn’t grieve publicly on social media. ”
Earlier this week, Kim appeared before the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties to urge lawmakers to pass bills addressing racism and discrimination against Asian Americans.
“There are many moments in the history of a country that is tracing its indelible path to the future. For Asian Americans, that moment is now, “said the Korean-American actor in his speech. “What is happening right now and in the coming months will send a message to future generations if it matters to us, if the country we call home chooses to erase or include us, to dismiss us or to respect us, to make invisible or see us. Because you might consider us statistically insignificant now, but another fact that has no other alternative is that we are the fastest growing racially demographic in the country. We are 23 million strong. We are united and we wake up. “
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