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.’”
Biden special counsel’s ‘runaway train’ scooped up sensitive lawmaker info: ‘Abuse of power’
Congressman sounds the alarm on China: ‘We’re sleepwalking through this competition’
Shock Video: Machete Fight Breaks Out in Middle of England Intersection, Man Recording Says This Insanity Happens ‘Day In and Day Out’
How long can Iran play its energy card?
Florida men indicted in armed home invasion where suspect posed as utility worker, 13-year-old zip-tied: DOJ
California inmate who spent 45 years on death row for murdering pregnant wife dies
Punks Beat Pro Poker Winner Back to His Airbnb, Ambushed and Hogtied Him, Stole All His Winnings
Trump revives his decades-old Iran warning as US ramps up military pressure: ‘remarkably consistent’
‘This is not normal’: AOC unloads on McConnell’s prolonged absence
Jack Smith team reviewed contents of texts involving 44 members of Congress, DOJ records show
GOP Senator Calls on Iran’s Neighbors to ‘Finish the Job’ After US Troops Did the Hard Part
‘Worst of the Worst’: ICE Announces Arrests of Scores of Murderers, Pedophiles, And Drug Traffickers
Pritzker skewered as ‘victim of his own’ policy after repeat offender arrested in governor’s backyard
WATCH: GOP senators rally behind Lindsey Graham’s sister as successor, remember late senator’s legacy
Israeli Knesset passes bill banning arrest of ultra-orthodox who refuse military service, despite pleas from IDF
“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.
