A COMMUNITY has come together to show solidarity with a university lecturer who was the victim of a racist attack last week.
On February 23, Dr Peng Wang, a lecturer at the University of Southampton, was jogging in Woolston when he was punched and kicked to the ground by a group of men.
The attack took place at around 4.15pm on Vosper Road and left Dr Wang needing hospital treatment for elbow and face injuries.
Police confirmed the attack was racially motivated and last Friday, arrested a 23-year-old man on suspicion of racially aggravated assault.
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A second man, aged 35 was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of racially aggravated assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
Now, Southampton’s community have shown their support for Dr Wang with an online rally hosted by Southampton Stand Up To Racism and the Chinese Association of Southampton.
On Monday over 300 people took part in the event which was addressed by members of the local Chinese community, anti-racist campaigners, and Dr Wang himself who said he felt “moved” that this many people came together to “stand against racism”.
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On Tuesday, residents used their daily exercise to take part in collective online action by wearing red and running or walking in solidarity with Dr Wang with scores of people uploading pictures to social media.
Southampton Stand Up To Racism convenor, Steve Squibbs said the events “received a fantastic response from the community, who mobilised in large numbers at short notice to send a clear message that racism and racist violence will not be tolerated.”
He added: “Verbal and physical abuse directed at East and South East Asian communities has sadly been on the rise since the start of the pandemic.”
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