U.S. Attorney's Office and FBI Hold Virtual Meeting with AAPI Community Leaders to Confront Rising Discrimination Against Asian Americans

Detroit -  The U.S. Attorney’s office and the FBI met with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders to address the rising violence against Asian Americans.

Today, Acting United States Attorney Saima Mohsin along with Special Agent in Charge Timothy Waters, and other law enforcement officials from their offices, participated in a listening session with approximately 20 Asian American community leaders, and members of civil rights organizations. The event took place virtually due to COVID-19 and covered topics including how the FBI conducts civil rights investigations, when cases can be prosecuted as federal hate crimes, and how incidents that do not rise to the level of a crime can be addressed through civil enforcement of federal civil rights laws.

“The United States Attorney’s Office is committed to upholding and protecting the civil rights of Asian Americans and every citizen in this state,” said Acting US Attorney Mohsin.  “Hate against any community should be a concern for every community.  Federal law enforcement will take action against violence or threats of violence directed at anyone based on race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, gender, or sexual orientation."

“The FBI is committed to establishing trust and open communication and strengthening partnerships with communities across the State. It is important for all Michiganders to remember that any violent criminal act or threat against any person because of their race, color, religion or national origin is a hate crime. This includes violence against Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, or individuals from East Asian countries,” said Timothy Waters, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Detroit Field Office. “Anyone with knowledge of hate crimes against any member of our community is asked to report the incident to local police and/or the FBI.”

The event is one of many outreach efforts by the FBI and US Attorney’s Office to address discrimination, violence and harassment targeting people because of what they look like, which country they come from, where they worship or who they love.  The aim is to learn directly from the affected community about their concerns and reaffirm the Department of Justice’s commitment to protecting civil rights and preventing and prosecuting hate crimes.

Acting United States Attorney Saima S. Mohsin encourages anyone who has knowledge or information concerning any hate crime or incident involving bias or discrimination to contact the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan by calling the Civil Rights Hotline at 313.226.9151 or by sending an email to usamie.civilrights@usdoj.gov.