The Asian-American community in the Hudson Valley is on edge following the deadly shooting of eight people, including six Asian women, at three Atlanta area spas on Tuesday.

“I think in the communities, they have anxieties, they have the fear, you know. For myself, like, my kids even call me, you know, ask me to stay home,” says Grace Pan, president of OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates Westchester Hudson Valley Chapter.

She says earlier this month an older Asian-American woman was pushed down here in the Hudson Valley area.

A recent report from California State University San Bernardino found hate crimes against Asian-Americans rose about 150 percent in 2020.

Jaclyn Liu, vice president of the organization says, “You don't feel a sense of security anymore. America is our home, but if your home is not safe you don't feel like I can go out alone or I have to go to with friends, or go to crowded place. I cannot go some place, like, I have to think about before I go out. So, if you have that kind of feeling, you don’t feel like it’s your home anymore. You know, this scary.”

The group hopes the recent mass shooting in Atlanta will help both the public and elected officials understand how serious the issue is.

“We want the leaders, lawmakers, to make a fundamental change to make the home safe to everyone to live,” says Liu.

The group is encouraging everyone in the community to be more vigilant, to protect themselves and each other, and to report any attacks that they may experience or witness.

“We encourage people to report because this not only for yourself. Race crime, hate crimes against group of people, your report is not for yourself, for the group of people that you are a part of that you should report,” says Robert Chao, OCA board member.

The group is also working to educate the community on the contributions of Asian Americans to American history.