For Immediate Release

APABA-DC is horrified by last night's mass shooting in Atlanta, Georgia that appears to have targeted AAPI businesses and AAPI individuals, as well as by the steep rise in hate crimes and incidents victimizing AAPIs across the country.  Our deepest condolences to the families of the victims—we grieve alongside them and our hearts are broken.  We continue to denounce irresponsible rhetoric such as referring to the coronavirus as the "Chinese Virus," "Wuhan Virus," or otherwise "foreign" virus, which has fanned further hate towards our community.  This past year alone, over 3,800 hate incidents targeting AAPIs have been reported.  APABA-DC continues to condemn such acts of hate driven by racism and xenophobia.  

We encourage our friends, partners, allies, and communities to join us in taking action, including joining our discussions focused on combating AAPI hate on March 30 with former top federal officials Jessie Liu and Roy Austin, April 7 with DC and NJ Attorney Generals Karl Racine and Gurbir Grewal, and April 12 with Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-3).  Please also check out NAPABA's helpful listing of hate crimes resources.