#Mayor de Blasio heckled during vigil to decry anti-Asian hate

Mayor de Blasio was heckled and swarmed on Friday night by protesters at a Union Square vigil that was held to protest anti-Asian racism and mourn the victims of the Georgia massage parlor shootings.

A diverse crowd gathered on 14th Street in Manhattan to demand an end to hate crimes and bias after a lone gunman killed six Asian women and two others in Atlanta-area attacks on Tuesday night.

Mourners lit candles, held signs reading “Stop Killing Us” and “Stop Asian Hate,” and laid flowers in front of makeshift memorials, as politicians and advocates addressed protesters, some of whom turned their anger on Hizzoner.

“What are you going to do about it,” a chorus of people demanded as de Blasio called for victims of anti-Asian bias crimes to come forward, according to social media footage.

The mayor was surrounded by about a dozen hostile protesters as his motorcade left the event, video posted on Twitter showed.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and mayoral hopeful Andrew Yang were among the high profile speakers calling for peace and healing at the Asian American Federation-hosted event.

Among those attending the vigil was Jayne Ng, 25, a Chinese-American who said she is reeling from the massacre down south.

“This week has been so hard and upsetting,” she said. “So I appreciate that there were leaders from the Muslim, Hispanic and Black communities here tonight to speak up and stand by the Asian American community. They came out to say they’re here for us.”

Ng, an artist, added she has experienced anti-Asian hatred first hand.  

“As an Asian woman I have experienced harassment on the subway. I have been followed on the street by strangers. I have had people shouting at me. I always feel unsafe. I experience harassment. It’s a sad part about being an Asian woman. Hopefully these tragic events can raise more awareness.”

Vincent Tang, 40, called on local leaders to take action to end racial violence.

“II think it helped. We lack solidarity and support. It was good to come together to support each other. It was very hopeful to see other folks who are not Asian here tonight,” Tang said.

“We’ve always faced adversity. We’ve faced racism. We’re finally coming together in a strong community and as a whole. This is such a diverse city. I’m finally getting that sense it’s time to stand up and support each other and call out our leaders to take action. They continue to fall short. It’s all talk. No action,” Tang lamented.

The NYPD has recorded a 1300 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crimes during the coronavirus pandemic and has stepped up patrols in Asian neighborhoods following the massage parlor murders.

On Friday night, Kamala Harris, the first Asian-American to hold the position of vice president, said that there have been 3,800 hate incidents recorded against the group in the past year.

Additional reporting by Nolan Hicks