Two-Thirds Of LA's Asian American Population Worry About Being The Target Of Racist Attacks, Report Finds

A new poll finds about two-thirds of Asian Americans living in Los Angeles County are worried about being the target of a racially motivated attack.

Nearly a quarter of the 1500 Asian American Pacific Islander residents surveyed by the Pat Brown Institute For Public Affairs at Cal State L.A. say they have been verbally or physically attacked — or had property damaged — during the pandemic because of their race or ethnicity.

“Our survey fully makes clear that Asian Americans are not just facing a public health crisis, but one of increased racial discrimination and hate even in the specific area of Los Angeles County,” said Nathan Chan, a research associate at Cal State LA’s Pat Brown Institute.

And the attacks go beyond the public sphere; the report also shows 45% of AAPI’s have faced discrimination in the workplace, schools and grocery stores.

In the wake of this racial discrimination, Chan says the AAPI community has become more politically active.

A majority voted for the first time in the gubernatorial recall election and more than 90% say they’re likely — or somewhat likely — to vote in the upcoming midterm elections.

Over the last two years, 18% of those polled said they attended a political protest, march, or rally, and 21% of respondents said they donated to a political campaign or cause, according to the survey's topline report.