‘This still matters:’ Asian Americans say life has gotten worse since deadly spa shootings

ATLANTA — Thursday marked two years since eight people were shot and killed at Asian-owned spas in metro Atlanta.

Activists in the Asian American community say in those two years, things have gotten worse.

“Today is a sad day because we keep having to organize and remind everybody that this is still matters,” activist Cam Ashling said.

Hundreds of people Thursday attended a rally to honor the six Asian women and two others were murdered in Atlanta and Cherokee County.

“There is rising Asian American hate. It has not gone down, it has gone up,” Ashling said.

She blames people who lack common sense and also own guns.

Robert Aaron Long is doing life in prison after pleading guilty to killing eight people at two Asian-owned spas.

In Ashling’s opinion, Long should have never been able to buy a gun.

“Why can’t people wait six days to get a gun? That would reduce a lot of violence and even suicides,” she explained.

She says rising tensions between the U.S. and China are affecting all Asian Americans, even if they aren’t Chinese.

“I think because there’s more competition between United States and China, the rhetoric against China will make Asian American hate worse,” Ashling said.

The Asian American community told Fernandes they are asking for understanding during these tough times and more gun regulation.

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