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Several Hundred People March To Philadelphia City Hall, Urging Lawmakers To Protect Asian-Americans

March 25, 2021 / 6:42 PM EDT / CBS Philadelphia

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PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- Hundreds gathered in Chinatown Thursday for a "Rally for Solidarity" and march to City Hall to urge lawmakers to do more to protect Asian-Americans, both here locally and across the nation.

Crowds began forming here at 10th and Vine Streets in Chinatown before 3 p.m. This is the second rally here in as many weeks and comes on the heels of what Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw calls a surge in racist rhetoric and violence.

Just yesterday, we showed you the photos of hate graffiti sprayed on the flower box here at a community garden.

We've also learned that both Philadelphia and SEPTA Police are investigating the alleged assault of two Indonesian teens on Sunday at the City Hall Station.

Nationally, the California State University Center for Hate and Extremism reports anti-Asian hate crimes have surged 145%, while overall hate crimes have fallen during 2020.

City Councilmember Helen Gym says Asian-American visibility is so important right now.

"There is an Asian-American community that has been here united, working on behalf of the city, visible and active on efforts like preserving Chinatown, fighting for funding for our public schools. And in this moment of grief and violence and sorrow, we're coming together to ask to be heard and seen in a different way," Gym said.

Participants headed to City Hall to peacefully urge lawmakers to do more to protect this community.

CBS3's Alicia Roberts contributed to this report.