We are deeply saddened by the news of shooting deaths of eight individuals, including six Asian women, at three spa establishments in Atlanta on Tuesday night. In spite of the fact that the man charged denied his killings were racially motivated, the tragic deaths occurred during a time when our nation has experienced a dramatic increase in anti-Asian hate and violence.
We condemn hatred, intolerance and violence against Asian, Asian American, Southeast Asian and Pacific Islander family, friends and neighbors. United with courage, we must advocate justice for all communities, and with compassion and love increase safety and support for each other during uncertain and vulnerable times.
We are of continuing belief that “quality of a community is reflected in its capacity to assist, heal the strengthen its most vulnerable members”. These tragic deaths clearly demonstrate the degree to which social and economic injustice continue to permeate our communities and institutions. We must continue our quest for equality in education, economic opportunities and leadership and justice.
How to Report: The Stop AAPI Hate reporting center website has been launched by the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University in response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. The reporting center is designed to accept reports of hate incidents and track and respond to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States. Reports of hate incidents can be made at: https://stopaapihate.org/
