Kamala Harris speaks out after Atlanta shootings: 'Racism is real in America'

Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday spoke out following the fatal shootings at Asian massage parlors outside Atlanta, Georgia.

"Over the past week, the president and I have traveled across the country to mark the passage of the American Rescue Plan, to tell the American people about how 100 million checks are on their way, about how 100 million vaccines have now been administered," Harris said. "And then Tuesday night we learned that eight of our neighbors were killed in a heinous act of violence, violence that has no place in the state of Georgia or in the United states of America."

"And we were reminded, yet again, that the crises we face are many, that the foes we face are many. As the president and I discussed with our AAPI community in a meeting earlier today, whatever the killer's motive, these facts are clear: six out of the eight people killed on Tuesday night were of asian descent. Seven were women. The shootings tack place in businesses owned by Asian-Americans. The shootings took place as violent hate crimes and discrimination against Asian-Americans has driven dramatically over the last year and more."

"In fact, over the past year, 3,800 such incidents have been reported. Two of three by women," she continued. "Everything from physical assaults to verbal accusations and it's all harmful. And sadly, it's not new. Racism is real in America and it has always been," Harris said. "Xenophobia is real in America and always has been. Sexism too."

"The president and I will not be silent," she vowed. "We will not standby. We will always speak out against violence, hate crimes and discrimination wherever and whenever it occurs."

Watch:

Kamala Harrisyoutu.be