Roosevelt Island Stands Tall with AAPI Stop the Hate Rally

Roosevelt Island Stands Tall with AAPI Stop the Hate Rally

As New York City absorbed more sobering news about racism, Roosevelt Islanders responded with an AAPI Stop the Hate Rally. It was organized in just a couple days, but brought dozens out on Saturday.

Roosevelt Island Daily News

Photos courtesy of rally organizer Rachel Dowling

Inspired by a mass killing in Atlanta, Roosevelt Islanders quickly spread the word about a rally on Facebook, and it was a typical local event. That is, not like anywhere else. Organizers drew residents as much in support of their AAPI neighbors as in protest.

Roosevelt Island Stop the Hate AAPI rally participant.
Concerns were generational during the Roosevelt Island Stop the Hate AAPI rally.

Six of those killed in Atlanta were identified as Asian.

In the meantime, the struggle in New York brought media coverage with five new hate crimes against Asians.

Roosevelt Island embraces one of the highest concentrations of Asians of any New York City neighborhood with over 20% in the most recent census. But there have been no reports about hate crimes. Instead, good neighbors come out in support.

And Police Commissioner Dermot Shea told PIX11 that NYPD investigated ten anti-Asian hate crimes so far in 2021. For the same period, last year, there were none.

Organizers surrounded by supporters in Good Shepherd Plaza on Saturday.

Not without some bumps along the way, the Roosevelt Island community welcomes shifting demographics with culture-rich dynamics.

Saturday’s rally echoed a Black Lives Matter rally held in the same spot during the national George Floyd protests, last June.

  • Adams’ Latest Budget Restores Cuts to Cops, Pre-Schools
    The executive budget unveiled by the mayor on Wednesday paints a rosier revenue picture than previous plans, but libraries will still have to make do with less. By Katie Honan, and Greg David Apr 24 2:35pm EDT New York City’s financial outlook is on the upswing following wins in the state budget, better Wall Street
  • Leaf Blower Season, the Annual Assault on Common Sense
    Yesterday, the annoying backyard roar told me “It’s leaf blower season again.” The environmentally unsound, intrusive machines deprive manual laborers of earnings. We’d be better off if we brought out some rakes and did it the old way in the fresh air. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News Leaf blowers can be a
  • On International Jazz Day, What This Music Has Brought the World: A Celebration of Creativity, Freedom, and Unity
    Yesterday, RIOC announced a free concert on Roosevelt Island in recognition of International Jazz Day. Music will fill the plaza behind the public library on Saturday afternoon. That’s an important contribution to community life, but the music’s significance could be better known. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News The Many Gifts of Jazz
  • Recovering Southpoint Park Under New Leadership: The Long View
    Three years after a disastrous “upgrade,” scars limit recovering Southpoint Park, but ambitious efforts are in place. New leadership at RIOC focused on better upkeep while Roosevelt Islanders creatively pitched in. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News Taking a long view, the photo above, courtesy of Judith Berdy and the Roosevelt Island Historical
  • The Role of Artwork in Pride Month: A Celebration of Identity and Activism
    Pride Month is a vibrant celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, marked by parades, festivals, and a powerful spirit of self-expression. But amidst the festivities, art plays a crucial role in promoting awareness, challenging norms, and fostering a sense of belonging. by David Stone The Roosevelt Island Daily News A Canvas for Identity For LGBTQ+ artists,

One thought on “Roosevelt Island Stands Tall with AAPI Stop the Hate Rally

Leave a Reply

Discover more from Roosevelt Island, New York, Daily News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Discover more from Roosevelt Island, New York, Daily News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading