Motivations of online and offline activism against racism and xenophobia among Asian-American publics during the COVID-19 pandemic

•This study examined the motivations of Asian Americans’ engaging in online and offline activism against racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic.•An online survey was conducted with 400 Asian Americans in the U.S. during the early stage of the COVID-19.•Asian American publics' identity enhanced their perceived injustice, efficacy, and situational motivation to counter racism and xenophobia, and online activism on social media.•Online activism on social media (e.g., posting, sharing information) fostered their offline activism. Grounded in the situational theory of problem solving (STOPS) and social identity model of collective action (SIMCA), this study aims to examine the motivations of minority publics—Asian Americans—in the U.S. engaging in online and offline activism against racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic. Results of an online survey with Asian Americans in the U.S. suggested that the Asian American publics’ identity enhanced their perceived injustice, efficacy, and situational motivation to counter racism and xenophobia, which in turn facilitated their online activism on social media. Online activism, then, drove their offline activism. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.