'Stop Asian Hate' rallies take place in Koreatown, city hall, West Hollywood
LOS ANGELES - Multiple 'Stop Asian Hate' rallies were held on Saturday in Los Angeles and Orange counties in response to rising violence against the Asian American Pacific Islander community.
A solidarity march began at 11 a.m. at Olympic Boulevard and Berendo Street in Koreatown, proceed west on Olympic Boulevard to Normandie Avenue where what organizers are billing as a "free speech rally'' will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Participants included Rep. Judy Chu, D-Monterey Park, the chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilmen Mark Ridley-Thomas, John Lee and Mitch O'Farrell, CNN host Lisa Ling and actress Kelly Hu.
RELATED: Anti-Asian hate crimes skyrocket 149% in 16 major US cities between 2019-2020, study says
The march and rally were organized by the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles in partnership with 20 community-based organizations.
"Stop Anti-Asian Violence, Stop China-Bashing'' rallies are planned for noon at Los Angeles City Hall and the intersection of Santa Monica and La Cienega boulevards in West Hollywood and 2:30 p.m. at Irvine City Hall.
The rallies are part of a "national day of action'' organized by the ANSWER Coalition, which bills itself as an anti-war and social justice coalition. ANSWER in an acronym for Act Now to Stop War and End Racism.
RELATED: Asian American community asking everyone to rise up against anti-Asian hate
Get your top stories delivered daily! Sign up for FOX 11’s Fast 5 newsletter. And, get breaking news alerts in the FOX 11 News app. Download for iOS or Android.