While there have been a number of rallies against anti-Asian violence across the United States in recent weeks, one held Sunday outside the San Francisco city hall advocated a more active approach to empowering the community by featuring numerous self-defense demonstrations. Organized by martial artist Hudson Liao, the "Asia Strong" event included performances by nine different schools including representatives of muay Thai, wing chun, krav maga, judo, jiu-jitsu and MMA.
Though various speakers at the event, including a retired superior court judge, discussed the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes, the demonstrations let people know there were resources available to make themselves feel safer. Fears among the U.S. Asian community have spiked recently in the wake of a mass shooting that targeted Asian women in Atlanta and several vicious attacks on people of Asian descent in New York and other cities.
San Francisco martial arts demonstration aims to take a stand against Asian hate
Over the last several weeks, there have been all kinds of rallies and marches denouncing Asian hate, but this event had a twist, and some punches, and kicks. Martial artists from nine different schools, representing various disciplines performed combat drills and gave demonstrations outside San Francisco City Hall.
