Atlanta’s Mayor Speaks On Hate Crimes Against The Asian Community
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms speaks against hate after eight people were killed in the city. She claims that violence is a crime against the whole community.
“A clear motive is still unknown, but a crime against any community affects us all,” stated Bottoms.
She stated, “I’ve been in touch with the White House and the Atlanta Police Department (APD) as they investigate the suspect behind this senseless violence in our city. “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and friends affected by these tragic shootings.”
A Growing Trend
Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms noted that the motive is unclear at this time but aligns with a growing trend. The number of hate crimes against Asians has increased since the start of the pandemic.
“We know that most of the victims were Asian, and this is happening all over the country. It’s unacceptable, hateful, and it needs to stop.”
The Mastermind Behind The Attacks
Long faces charges of four murders and one count of aggravated assault. He’s charged for his connection to the shootings at Young’s Asian Massage Parlor in Acworth and Gold Spa in Buckhead, a neighborhood in Atlanta. He also shot a few people in Aromatherapy Spa, which is across the street from Gold Spa.
Officials were still investigating what led to the shooting, but Sheriff Frank Reynolds, of Cherokee County. The sheriff indicated that Long claimed he had a “sexual addiction.”
Furthermore, Long is accused of planning to travel to Florida to attack the “porn industry” in some way.
“He showed signs of having problems, possibly with sexual addiction, and might have visited these places before,” Reynolds mentioned.
Reynolds noted that Long may have visited one of the two places where he is accused of carrying out the crimes.
Sadly, there is debate of whether attacks would be classified as a hate crime by APD. Regardless of the charges, justice needs to be done for the families of the slain.
