In San Francisco, sources say that there is a “slap an Asian” challenge going around, first found out on social media.
This challenge has put the San Francisco police on high alert.
People were told, via a picture, to slap anyone of Asian descent in public areas such as public transit, and has been spread on different social media platforms this week. Twitter user @geesubay releases:
“I’m hearing there’s a “slap an Asian” challenge going on with the youths in the Bay Area now.
This is exactly what happens when people openly condone violence and hate towards a minority group through constant public villanization and ostracism.”
The SFPD has not heard reports of it yet happening, but there is an extreme “abundance of caution” and has warned other agencies such as SFMTA, Muni, and transit partners to keep a look out for these acts of violence.
They report, “We have not located any reports related to this post and we are not able to corroborate claims of a ‘slap’ challenge taking place in the bay Area. We encourage anyone who becomes a victim of crime in San Francisco to file a police report.”
Dion Lim from KGO shares a picture that gives more information about the “slap an Asian” challenge.
Police started to assign officers to the department’s Field Operations Bureau so that they are able to respond 24/7 if there was an issue to be reported. The team that has been created blend with uniformed and plainclothes officers, “dedicated to investigating crime on Muni vehicles and properties.”
Due to these incidents, there is a heightened sense of fear and alarm through the unprecedented wave of violence against Asian Americans, not only in the Bay Area but throughout the United States as well. Authorities give information that they have responded to similar incidents just in the last week, ending up with bloody and violent consequences.
Please contact 415-575-4444 if you have anymore information about this challenge based in San Francisco.
Replaced!