NEW YORK — A rally was held in East Harlem on Saturday to condemn the slew of anti-Asian attacks across the city in recent weeks.

Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer and State Sen. Brian Benjamin were two of those on hand at the event, billed as "Harlem and East Harlem Stand with the Asian Community," held at Pro Thai Restaurant on the corners of Lexington Avenue and 101st Street.

One community board member at the rally urged people not to stand by when they see these attacks happen.

"I do not want your sympathy. I need your action, I need your unity, I need you to speak up when you see something — an Asian being harassed — you ought to call the police,” Manhattan Community Board No. 3 member Karlin Chan said. All these words of sympathy — ‘Oh, the poor man’ — we need your support. Our businesses need your support, not the xenophobia."

The rally came after police said a man punched a 56-year-old Asian man in the face at the East Broadway stop in Manhattan on the "F" line on Tuesday. It's being investigated as a hate crime.

------

Did you know you can now watch, read and stay informed with NY1 wherever and whenever you want? Get the new Spectrum News app here.