Amid the rise in anti-Asian hate crimes around the city, Brooklyn elected officials and business owners came together Thursday to take a stand and work on turning words into action. 

According to the NYPD, there have already been more anti-Asian hate crimes in the city this year than all of 2019 and 2020 combined. 

"It's sad to see that a few bad apples want to ruin what we find so beautiful here in Brooklyn. Diversity in Brooklyn - the diversity here in Brooklyn is what makes us special,” said Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Ana Oliveira. 

Elected officials and business owners joined the Chamber of Commerce at Park Asia Restaurant in Sunset Park, saying that just condemning and speaking against the attacks is not good enough and that actions are also needed. 

The Brooklyn Chamber of Commerce unveiled new decals which are free for businesses and residents of the borough to put up and display as another way to show their solidarity.

“It's a signal to everyone else, to every other person who walks by and says that people in this establishment - we tolerate others, we support others, we value, and we love other people,” said Brooklyn state Sen. Andrew Gounardes. 

Business owners say they already have more efforts planned around the borough that they hope will highlight the combination of Asian and New York cultures.