Bias incidents in New Jersey against transgender people and Asians saw big increases last year, compared to 2020, according to new numbers from the state Attorney General's Office. 

Acting Attorney General Matt Platkin said last year set a record for the highest number of bias incidents since the state started keeping track in 1994. Incidents against transgender people more than doubled in 2021 and increased by 90% for Asians.

Platkin said part of the rise is due to divisive rhetoric that blamed Asians for the pandemic.

"These words are not empty, there's people on the ground who listen to them and act upon them," he told WNYC. 

The preliminary numbers show Black people are still the most targeted group and the victims of about 40% of the 1,800 reported incidents. Jewish people were the most commonly impacted religious group.