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City Leaders Hold Virtual Town Hall To Address Alarming Rise In Violence Against Asian-Americans

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- There were calls for action and unity Sunday in the wake of attacks on Asian-Americans in the city.

Local leaders held a virtual town hall to address the alarming rise in violence.

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The NYPD is investigating five attacks on Asian-Americans this past week, including a possible hate crime. In that incident, a 27-year-old was attacked and robbed in Harlem this past Monday and told to, "go back to China."

"We have to invest in community. We have to invest in re-doing many things that occurred over the past four years, especially during this pandemic, because people I think have to better understand the culture, better understand all New Yorkers," Public Advocate Jumaane Williams said.

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And earlier Sunday afternoon in Queens, advocates held a separate news conference, saying elected officials need to step up and make communities safer.

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