May 18, 2021
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PRESS STATEMENT
CONTACT
Sara Braun
stopaapihate@fenton.com
Stop AAPI Hate — a national coalition aimed at addressing anti-AAPI discrimination — has released the following statement in response to the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act:
“The passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act demonstrates that the federal government recognizes the devastating impact of the pandemic-related racism and discrimination that the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community is facing.
We are in support of the included investments in community-centered solutions and provisions to mitigate anti-Asian rhetoric, which we know sparked COVID-related hate incidents.
However, because the Act centers criminal law enforcement agencies in its solutions, it will not address the overwhelming majority of incidents reported to our site which are not hate crimes, but serious hate incidents.
We are encouraged that the federal government has listened to the advice of community-based organizations and has committed to partnering with them further. To see additional change, we need legislation that addresses the root causes of systemic racism and oppression.
Stop AAPI Hate urges the federal government to:
- Dedicate resources to local communities, including community safety programs and in-language support for those in need of mental health, legal and immigration services.
- Build a strong civil rights infrastructure at the local level by fully funding community-based groups, which are often the first responders to incidents of hate.
- Increase exposure to the voices and histories of all communities by expanding ethnic studies and education.
- Strengthen federal civil rights laws that address discrimination in public accommodations — businesses where we buy our groceries, refill our prescriptions and eat our meals.
About Stop AAPI Hate:
Stop AAPI Hate is a national coalition addressing anti-Asian racism across the U.S. The coalition was founded by the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and San Francisco State University’s Asian American Studies Department. Between March 19, 2020 and March 31, 2021, Stop AAPI Hate has received 6,603 reported incidents of racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans across the U.S. Visit stopaapihate.org.