The K-pop hit group BTS will meet with President Joe Biden, at the White House, to discuss anti-Asian hate crimes.
According to Deadline, the group are the latest on the list of celebs to head to the capital – as Biden has recently hosted Selena Gomez and even the Jonas Brothers to help boost the uptake of COVID vaccines.
BTS Head To The White House
The Korean boy band will not only meet with the President and First Lady, Dr Jill Biden, to discuss the hate crimes but also to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month.
A post from the White House said the Grammy-nominated band will also be discussing Asian including and representation as well as discrimination and the ‘importance of diversity and inclusion’.
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The statement read: ‘On Tuesday, May 31st, global K-pop phenomenon and Grammy-nominated musical group from the Republic of Korea BTS (Bangtan Sonyeondan or ‘Beyond the Scene’) will join President Biden to discuss Asian inclusion and representation, and to address anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination which have become more prominent issues in recent years, the White House said in the statement
‘President Biden has previously spoken about his commitment to combating the surge of anti-Asian hate crimes and signed into law the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in May 2021 to provide law enforcement with resources to identify, investigate, and report hate crimes and ensure that hate crimes information is more accessible to AA and NHPI communities.
‘President Biden and BTS will also discuss the importance of diversity and inclusion and BTS’ platform as youth ambassadors who spread a message of hope and positivity across the world.’
Rise in Asian Hate Crimes
Asian hate crimes have risen sharply over the years, with a particular spike during the pandemic. Recently a shooting at a Taiwanese southern California church that killed one and injured five and since is being investigated as a hate crime.
Then just earlier this month a shooting at a Dallas salon, that wounded three women of Asian descent, is also being investigated as a hate crime.
President Biden has recently spoke about such hate crimes saying: ‘Hate can have no safe harbour in America. And every person deserves to be treated with dignity and respect.’
Horrifically, hate crimes against Asian American communities rose by 339% in 2021 compared to 2020, according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism.