People joined together in Westchester Thursday night to stand up against hateful attacks on Asian Americans.

New data released from STOP AAPI HATE says there have been more than 3,000 anti-Asian incidents nationwide since the pandemic began. Some of the incidents have been verbal altercations, and others have been violent.

While no attacks have been reported in Westchester, leaders of OCA, a local advocate group for Asian Pacific Americans, say they're worried.

They believe anti-Asian attitudes existed long before the pandemic but were heightened by the actions of former President Donald Trump - and that now many blame Asians for COVID-19.

They say leaders need to come forward and make it clear that it's not OK.

Westchester County Executive George Latimer held a press conference Thursday, denouncing the attacks.

They say it's also crucial for private citizens of all different backgrounds to stand with them as well.