Around 250 people marched and rallied in downtown Palo Alto on Sunday afternoon to raise awareness about the recent attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and to increase voter registration within this group.

City Council member Greg Tanaka launched an "8 by 8" campaign at the May 2 event, challenging people to invite eight others to register to vote within eight days. Tanaka is a candidate for U.S. Congressional district 18, the seat currently held by Rep. Anna Eshoo.

"I want lasting change," said Tanaka to the crowd gathered outside City Hall. "And lasting change is really going to help through voter registration and more participation politically."

The event was organized by Tanaka and Lydia Kou with the help of about 70 volunteers. It began with a 2 p.m. march from the city parking garage at 528 High St. and continued with a 3 p.m. rally at King Plaza.

Eshoo, former Rep. Mike Honda, Kou and state Assembly member Marc Berman, D-Menlo Park, also spoke to the crowd assembled outside City Hall.

Attendees were able to stop for information at booths set up at the rally by the Santa Clara County Registrar of Voters, Palo Alto Chinese Parents' Club and Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association Peninsula Chapter. Two additional educational exhibits highlighted the Chinese rail workers in North America and the Arboretum Chinese Labor Quarters projects at Stanford University.