As part of Eastern’s events for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, there will be a virtual candlelight vigil against Asian hate on Monday evening.

Skylar Coffey, a political science grad student and vice president of student affairs, will host the #EIUnited Against Asian Hate Candlelight Vigil.

“This event is being held in response to the tragic events that took place in Georgia that resulted in the lives of six Korean women being lost, as well as the rise in Asian hate crimes across the country,” Coffey said.

“We are wanting to honor and remember the victims of these horrific attacks and call for an end to these terrible acts.”

According to data analyzed by the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, the number of hate crimes against Asian people increased by nearly 150 percent in 2020.

This rise in violence was brought to light after eight Asian women were killed in a series of shootings that commentators said appeared to be a hate crime in Atlanta, GA on March 17.

The candlelight vigil will be open to any Eastern students, faculty and staff and Charleston community members who are interested in joining.

Attendees are invited to bring their own candles or pictures of loved ones to share.There will be a moment of silence for people who have died due to hate crimes.

Part of the vigil will also be used to reflect on racism and other challenges that faced by the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, according to the event description posted by Eastern’s Office of Inclusion and Academic Engagement.

The vigil will be held on April 12 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. via Zoom.

To join, visit go.eiu.edu/EIUnitedVigil.

Luke Taylor can be reached at 581-2812 or at [email protected].