Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) says the “rapid spreading of racism” since the Wuhan, China-originated coronavirus outbreak in the United States is particularly “painful” for immigrants.
During a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing on Thursday, Pressley — a member of “The Squad” along with Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) — said calling the virus the “Chinese coronavirus” is hurtful to immigrants living in the U.S.
“Since the beginning of the COVID-19 outbreak, we have seen not only the spreading of the virus, but also a rapid spreading of racism and xenophobia,” Pressley said. “We have witnessed at the highest levels, in fact, the Republican Party fanning irresponsibly these flames. One colleague tweeted that ‘Everything you need to know about the Chinese coronavirus.’”
The Biggest Exodus of Wealth Is Happening in a Western Nation, And the US Should Take Note
Sewn with pride: Flag factory gears up for 250th anniversary of nation
Texas river flood leaves at least 6 dead as emergency crews race to find others missing; camp evacuated
Joey ‘Jaws’ Chestnut regains title in annual hot dog eating contest
Judge temporarily halts South Sudan deportations despite Trump wins at Supreme Court
‘Sick of Trump, Sick of ICE’ Protests Highlight Exactly What’s Wrong with the Left
Florida city commissioner ‘shocked’ to stand alone as colleagues defy Trump immigration crackdown
Big Beautiful Bill immediately hits the campaign trail in battle for Congress
DOJ Eyeing Oscars Awards, Paving Way for Trump to Make Hollywood Great Again
Zelensky confirms call with Trump after Russia launched largest aerial assault of Ukraine war
U.S. Restaurants Ask Trump for ‘Targeted Relief’ Amid Fierce Crackdown
Lifeguards in this Democrat-controlled city are raking in 6-figure incomes on taxpayers’ dime
Hochul aide accused of sexual harassment was focus of prior behavior probe: report
Inside America’s 6th-gen arsenal: B-21, F-47, and the future of air dominance
Keith Urban Abruptly Hangs Up on Interview After Being Asked ‘Deeply Personal’ Question
“My district is home to nearly 32 percent foreign-born residents with more than a quarter immigrating from Asia,” Pressley continued. “This painful rhetoric has consequences. Restaurants across Boston’s Chinatown have seen up to an 80 percent drop in business, and I believe this has everything to do with the rapid spread of misinformation and paranoia. It is critical that we stand against these inciteful messages… in our communities.”
Pressley was making a reference to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), who has called the virus the “Chinese coronavirus” while blasting the Chinese Communist Party’s propaganda on the global health crisis.
Pressley’s remarks echo those of the Chinese government’s media wing, which has claimed that “racism, profiling, hate, and alienation of the Chinese person” amid the coronavirus outbreak is worse than the actual virus.
Story cited here.
