Olivia Munn says AAPI event was targeted by racist Zoom bombing: 'A hate crime in real time'
Actress Olivia Munn says a recent online gathering dedicated to fighting anti-Asian racism was disrupted by a racist attack.
The X-Men star on Instagram shared that she hosted a gathering of AAPI women and allies on Monday for a conversation "about how to stop anti-Asian hate," but the event was "targeted by a Zoom bombing of horrific, violent, racially charged images and audio," she said.
"We were communing to celebrate, elevate and protect the AAPI community and we were subjected to a hate crime in real time," Munn wrote. "It was a cowardly and unconscionable act."
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Munn said that this "momentarily disrupted" the event but that it later resumed, and she vowed that "cheap tactics like these won't stop our quest for equality, equity and to stop Asian hate." She shared several photos from the event on her Instagram Story, include one posted by a participant who described the "traumatizing Zoom bomb," and Munn said to those who attended the event, "We are so sorry to have gone through this traumatic experience together. We are here for you, as you are here for us." Munn also posted statistics regarding anti-Asian racism and steps followers can take to help combat it, including donating to the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum.
Munn has previously spoken out about the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, telling NBC's Today last year, "The pandemic was weaponized against Asian Americans. And we have a target on our back and for some reason right now, it feels like it's open season on us. And we need help, and we need people to care about what's happening to us." She also told CBS This Morning, "We have been beaten, slashed, shot, murdered, attacked, screamed at, and it feels like we are screaming into an echo chamber and no one has been hearing us."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
-
'The disconnect between actual health care and the insurance model is widening'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Anya Jaremko-Greenwold, The Week US Published
-
Cautious optimism surrounds plans for the world's first nuclear fusion power plant
Talking Point Some in the industry feel that the plant will face many challenges
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Explore new worlds this winter at these 6 enlightening museum exhibitions
The Week Recommends Discover the estrados of Spain and the connection between art and chess in various African countries
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
Honda and Nissan in merger talks
Speed Read The companies are currently Japan's second and third-biggest automakers, respectively
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Taylor Swift wraps up record-shattering Eras tour
Speed Read The pop star finally ended her long-running tour in Vancouver, Canada
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Drake claims illegal boosting, defamation
Speed Read The rapper accused Universal Music of boosting Kendrick Lamar's diss track and said UMG allowed him to be falsely accused of pedophilia
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
'Wicked' and 'Gladiator II' ignite holiday box office
Speed Read The combination of the two movies revitalized a struggling box office
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Jussie Smollet conviction overturned on appeal
Speed Read The Illinois Supreme Court overturned the actor's conviction on charges of staging a racist and homophobic attack against himself in 2019
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Quincy Jones, music icon, is dead at 91
Speed Read The legendary producer is perhaps best known as the architect behind Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
OJ Simpson, star athlete tried for murder, dead at 76
Speed Read The former football hero and murder suspect lost his battle with cancer
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Momofuku's 'Chili Crunch' trademark uproar
Speed Read The company's attempt to own the sole rights has prompted backlash
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published