Return to Transcripts main page

New Day

Migrants Dangerous Journey to U.S.; U.K. Cases Fall due to Tough Lockdown; Attack on Asian American Air Force Vet. Aired 8:30-9a ET

Aired March 01, 2021 - 08:30   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[08:30:00]

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

JOSE ALDUVAS MONCADA SALINAS, HONDURAN MIGRANT (through translator): Because he looked at us like we're animals.

MATT RIVERS, CNN INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice over): The Biden administration is trying to end Trump's more restricted immigration policies and says it will admit more asylum seekers. But they've also said now is not the time for migrants to come, citing the pandemic and policy changes not yet completed, though that did not dissuade anyone we met with many saying Biden in charge gives them a better chance to getting in.

That's the difference, he says, that suddenly the new president is noble with a good heart.

On a break from that day's trek, Carlos told us they hadn't left for any one reason, poverty, hurricanes, Biden, all a part of it. He just remembers his mom crying as they walked away. We asked what she said.

She said not to go. It's so sad leaving not knowing if you're going to die.

Because all migrants know how dangerous these treks can be, and the proof came just a few hours later in a small village. The group had just been attacked and robbed by armed men left with nothing but their clothes. We had a basic medical kit on us, so producer Natalie Cajon (ph) and I tried to patch them up the best we could. Both brothers were pistol-whipped, 14-year-old Wilfredo with a deep gash on his head.

And just moments later, they had to run, a van fast approaching.

RIVERS (on camera): So this is Mexican immigration. And that's why our group here just ran into the woods.

RIVERS (voice over): We wouldn't find them again until early the next morning. They'd walked more than 12 hours after they fled. Exhausted and resting outside of a small shop, we took the moment to ask, is this worth it? Carlos said it was. That a better life awaited. Wilfredo quietly not so sure. I don't really know, he says, but wherever my brother is, I'll always

be there.

And, for now, that means more walking and more danger on a journey north.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

RIVERS: And we brought up to Carlos that there's obviously no guarantee that he's going to get into the United States. There's a chance that at some way -- some point along this process he'll get separated from his younger brother Wilfredo. But he basically said that's a problem for down the road. They're probably at least a month away from getting to the U.S. boarder. And they're going to have to walk through some of the most dangerous parts of Mexico before they get there, Alisyn.

ALISYN CAMEROTA, CNN ANCHOR: Matt, really helpful window to see into that life.

Thank you very much for all of that reporting.

So, no country in Europe is vaccinating people faster than the U.K. The British foreign secretary joins us live with what's happening there, next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[08:36:53]

JOHN BERMAN, CNN ANCHOR: New this morning, first dose coronavirus vaccinations in the United Kingdom surpassing more than 20 million over the weekend, marking Europe's fastest vaccination program. That's welcome news for a nation that's been under a strict government- imposed lockdown since January and also has the highest coronavirus death toll in Europe with more than 120,000 fatalities.

Joining me now is the U.K. foreign secretary, Dominic Raab.

Mr. Secretary, thanks so much for being with us.

Your case rate has dropped nearly 80 percent in six weeks, which is terrific news no doubt in that country given the high death toll there.

What do you attribute the drop to?

DOMINIC RAAB, U.K. FOREIGN SECRETARY: John, thanks very much. Great to be with you this morning.

Look, there's two things. One, we're in the middle of a lockdown with a restrictive set of measures, which has, of course, rolled back the transmission. And, secondly, the swift rollout of the vaccines, as you said, over 20 million people now have had their first dose, and that clearly is protecting people, having an impact on transmission.

So, of course, there's a long way to go, but the signs, the progress is all positive, and we've got light at the end of the tunnel here.

BERMAN: What have you learned in the course of the lockdown itself? I know that pubs and restaurants aren't going to be open till mid to late April, which upsets a lot of people in the U.K. and I think is hard for Americans to even appreciate in terms of what they think about the U.K. But, why? Why wait until April if you've dropped so much?

RAAB: Well, it will be -- we don't want to undo and unpack (ph) the progress that we've made or subject people to the risk of, let's face it, dying when it can be preserved and protected. So we've got a road map out which is an optimistic one, but a cautious one. And we're still collating, of course, all the evidence on the impact of the vaccine on the virus. And so it's an evidence-based approach. And we've got a series of steps we'll take. We're getting schools open this time next week. Then we'll be opening up things like grass root sport and a little bit more opening up of the mixing that can be done outdoors, socially. And then in April we've got a further step and in May and June we'll hopefully progress towards a more substantial opening up of the restrictions.

But the short answer is, we want to know that when we come out of this lockdown, we stay out of it.

BERMAN: I mean I know it's not your business to tell other countries or other cities and states in the United States what to do, but in the U.S. there are states that are rushing to open restaurants at, you know, limited capacity, movie theaters and whatnot, now, now, not waiting. And we're in a different place even than you are in terms of your cases.

What would you say to that decision?

RAAB: Well, we don't -- well, look, we -- everyone and every country has got to look at the unique circumstances that they're facing. They've got to take their own judgment calls. We're guided by the science that's been presented to us. The risk, of course, with hospitality, particularly in the big cities, but generally is the risk of transmission. Even if it's asymptomatic transition -- transmission, excuse me.

And so particularly our rate is now down below one.

[08:40:00]

That's a really important milestone. We want to keep it down there. And so you could always -- I think it doesn't matter which country you're in, there's always the goldilocks syndrome of some people wanting us to go quicker or slower. We think we've got a cautious but sustainable series of steps and road map out of this thing.

BERMAN: I want to ask you a couple foreign policy questions here.

RAAB: Please.

BERMAN: Obviously, in the United States we have a new administration, a new president in the White House.

Boris Johnson, the U.K. prime minister, of the Biden administration, said, quote, I believe that Europe increasingly recognizes the necessity of joining our American friends to rediscover that far- sighted leadership and the spirit of adventure and transatlantic unity that made our two continents great in the first place.

Rediscover that farsighted leadership.

When you say "rediscover," it implies something was lost. So what was lost, exactly, and by whom?

RAAB: Well, certainly what we've seen with the new administration, and I've had great conversations with my opposite numbers, so Tony Blinken, but also National Security Adviser Sullivan. And if you look at some of the multilateral steps, rejoining the Paris agreement on climate change, reversing the decision to leave the WHO, even on the position on Iran, where we're all concerned about getting Iran back to compliance with the JCPOA. We met with -- I met with my French and German opposite numbers. We had a virtual meeting with Tony Blinken about the steps we're going to take. All of that stuff is much easier if we don't give our adversaries or those who threaten us the gift of splits in transatlantic unity.

So I think that's what the prime minister was referring to. And I've certainly seen that in my day-to-day work with Tony and indeed with my European friends.

BERMAN: So, to be blunt, much easier under this administration than the last?

RAAB: Look, there are always changes and new opportunities, but also different challenges. Whoever's in the White House, whoever's in number 10 Downing Street, we adapt to that. That's what the strength of our relationship is all about.

Certainly on the multilateral sphere, I think the Biden administration has been very clear about wanting to work with partners and from COVID to climate change through to, as I said, issues of regional security like Iran, I think that does put us in a strong position to get the results that we need.

BERMAN: Let's -- let me ask about Iran very quickly because Iran refused to sit down as part of EU-sponsored negotiations, semi direct talks with the United States. That refusal came late yesterday.

How much of a blow is that, and how do you get around that?

RAAB: Well, I've obviously spoken, as I said, with European, and American opposite numbers. I've also spoken to Foreign Minister Zarif (ph) recently. And, look, the door for diplomacy is there. And Iran has a choice. And I think the choice is very clear. It can continue down its noncompliance with its international obligations and see more and more accountability from the international community. But the route for a better path, if Iran comes back to compliance, is there. So we will keep being clear that that room for diplomacy is there. But, of course, ultimately, it requires Tehran to do the right thing.

BERMAN: So you gave a passionate address to the United Nations, the U.K. has rejoined the U.N. Human Rights Council, talking about the importance of human rights around the world in countries, many countries, including China with the Uyghurs there. And that's a separate issue.

Over the weekend, the United States issued the report on the murder of "Washington Post" columnist Jamal Khashoggi, and the United States has sanctioned Saudi Arabia but apparently as of now no direct sanctions against the crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, who is directly implicated in this report.

So, again, on the basis of your calling for a strong focus on human rights around the world, what kind of message does it send when someone who is determined to be responsible for a heinous murder is not held personally to account?

RAAB: Well, obviously, we coordinate very closely with our U.S. allies on this.

Look, Saudi is an incredible important partner in that region. The stability of the region is at stake. The security of the region, and indeed of many western countries, including the U.S. and the U.K. as a state, but we certainly, the U.K., never ducks its human rights obligation and our commitment to stand up for those principles and values, which is why well before any of the latest report last year with the new Magnitsky legislation that I introduced to the House of Commons here in the U.K., we targeted 20 individuals directly responsible, directly responsible for the murder of Khashoggi, with asset freezes and visa bans. So we're very clear on it. And I understand the question you're asking, and people will take different views on that. But I do think it's important that you're able to hold directly to account those directly responsible, but also to maintain your engagement with the kingdom on so many important issues that we have to work together on.

[08:45:10]

BERMAN: One last question back on coronavirus. The U.K. is now taking an active role on getting the vaccine, not just to your own country, but countries around the world.

What do you expect to see in the next few weeks?

RAAB: I think we lost the line.

BERMAN: Mr. Secretary, do you still hear me?

All right, well, that was U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab. The U.K. is making sure the vaccines are getting around the world.

We're going to be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK) BERMAN: This morning, police in Los Angeles searching for two suspects in a potential hate crime. The two men allegedly hurled racial slurs and violently attacked 27-year-old Denny Kim, seen here with bruises on his face and a broken nose.

This is just the latest in an alarming surge of attacks against Asian- Americans across the U.S. in recent months.

[08:50:01]

Joining me now is Denny Kim, the victim of that brutal attack.

Denny, thanks so much for being with us.

This was less than two weeks ago. You were meeting a friend for dinner when you were attacked. Tell us what happened.

DENNY KIM, VICTIM OF POTENTIAL HATE CRIME: Yes, sir. Thanks for having me.

So I was basically getting some sushi and I was waiting over at Kenmore Street and between 6th Street and Wosher (ph) and that's when these two assailants basically approached me. They were hurling racial slurs. They were calling me chin chong, Chinese virus, cook (ph), just all sorts of just terrible things at me. They eventually struck me on my face. I fell down to the ground. And they eventually started beating me up.

That's when my friend, Joseph Cha (ph), that's when he saved my life. And I remember when the assailants were beating my face. I remember them telling me that they wanted to kill me. And if it wasn't for my friend, Joseph Cha, that saved my life that night, I'd probably be hospitalized right now or even beaten to death.

BERMAN: You're lucky your friend, Joseph Cha, arrived on the scene then. As you say, you may owe your life to him at this point.

What's the latest on the investigation? Have police made any inroads in tracking down the people who attacked you?

KIM: I believe they're still at large, sir.

BERMAN: So, at first, you weren't going to report the crime. Why was that? And why did you change your mind?

KIM: I was traumatized. I just wanted to just hide from the world. I didn't want to talk to anybody about it. It wasn't until I went to a rally, an Asian rally, over in Chinatown. I'd met with this person by the name of Mama Doli (ph). She was actually a victim herself. And she was -- she was verbally assaulted over at El Carreno Taco Shop (ph) on Olympic and Hoover. And she was the one that motivated me to speak up about this because I want to spread awareness and ultimately prevent this from happening to anybody else.

BERMAN: It is a growing problem. It's just one instance. We've seen a significant rise in attacks against Asian Americans across the country in recent months. One group is reporting that there have been more than 3,000 attacks since last March. It's hard -- they didn't count quite the same way before that, but it seems to be a huge increase in the last year.

Why do you believe this is?

KIM: Yes, it's really disheartening. I believe it's a lot of factors that play to this, but I believe this nation has a history of racism and -- towards Asians. And we've been dealing with this all of our lives. I'm used to this by now. I'm used to the racism against Asians. I grew up here in Los Angeles, and I had to deal with this ever since I was a kid. And even throughout my military career. So it's -- it's nothing new to me.

BERMAN: Well, look, I'm sorry you've had to deal with it your whole life, and that's a shame, and it's offensive, frankly, you've had to deal with it your whole life.

How has it become different this year, do you think?

KIM: Well, I got beaten up for it. So -- and people -- people are getting beaten up for it. Our Asian elders are being attacked. And it's really disheartening. It breaks my heart. I wish people would stop.

BERMAN: Do you think that the pandemic -- or how do you think the pandemic has affected this over the last year?

KIM: Well, first of all, Donald Trump called it the Chinese virus. He made a joke out of it saying that it was the Kung flu, and that no doubt fueled a lot of hatred and ignorance towards Asians, to say the least.

BERMAN: Well, Denny Kim, you know, we're glad you're recovering. We're glad your friend joseph was there with you and was able to help you and maybe save your life, and we hope that by you coming forward and shining a light on this, people will take notice and we start to try to find a way to fight back against hatred like this.

Thanks so much for being with us.

KIM: Thank you for having me. Thank you.

CAMEROTA: John, I mean really just devastating to hear that it's nothing new in his life, except that now it's violent.

BERMAN: Yes, that he's heard it forever, but this -- this year has become particularly worse as it drives into the consciousness.

And it -- you know, we had Seung Min Kim on earlier in the show. And Seung Min was attacked for her reporting. And one of the things that people went to, the haters went to right away was the racial attack. And that's just wrong. I mean it's just wrong.

CAMEROTA: Well, of course, but he's also saying that what we've seen with -- with, as he said, Chinese elders, or Asian elders, of people coming up, pushing them down, hitting them. I mean this is new this year. It's gotten worse.

BERMAN: It has. It has.

[08:55:00]

And we need to be paying much more attention to it. And we will.

CAMEROTA: CNN's coverage continues next.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

POPPY HARLOW, CNN ANCHOR: Good Monday morning, everyone. So glad you're with us. I'm Poppy Harlow.

JIM SCIUTTO, CNN ANCHOR: And I'm Jim Sciutto.

We have some more good news this morning. Green lit and on the way. Right now millions of doses of Johnson & Johnson's one shot vaccine are being shipped across the country. The White House says that 3.9 million doses will be distributed as early as tomorrow. This is the third vaccine to be approved for use in this country. New video this morning of doses of the new vaccine being sent out from a distribution center in Kentucky.

[09:00:01]

It cannot come soon enough. Very critical to have these options.