The Time is Now: #StopAsianHate
Asian American Day of Action and Healing
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date Published: March 26, 2021
Washington, D.C. — On this National Day of Action and Healing, the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) stands with fellow Asian Americans and our allies alike to decry the racism and hatred that has threatened, indeed terrorized, our community.
Soon Chung Park. Hyun Jung Grant (Kim). Suncha Kim. Yong Ae Yue. Xiaojie Tan. Daoyou Feng. Delaina Ashley Yaun. Paul Andre Michels. We mourn these latest victims of anti-Asian hate.
“Our community is grieving, but out of that pain arises a deep commitment to building a better future for Asian Americans,” said Abraham Kim, Executive Director of CKA. “CKA is recommitted to calling out and changing long-standing, toxic attitudes towards Asian Americans. These deep-seated prejudices have emboldened violent perpetrators to commit heinous acts. We advocate for actions that identify and prosecute these acts for what they are: hate crimes. Beyond our immediate community, we are asking our fellow Americans to support us and champion the American values of justice and national unity.”
We urge public officials and government at the federal, state, and local levels to fight anti-Asian racism. At the national level, we urge Congress to pass the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act (H.R.1843; S.728), led by Rep. Grace Meng (NY) and Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI), and the Teaching Asian Pacific American History Act introduced by Rep. Meng. We urge the Department of Justice and the Biden Administration to make community outreach and the investigation of hate crimes a top priority. We urge state and local governments to follow suit and protect the well-being of our communities and the safety of our institutions.
Take Action:
- Call or write your U.S. House Representative and U.S. Senators to support the legislation above.
- Participate in today’s #StopAsianHate Day of Action and vigil. Resources and social media toolkit available on the official website.
- Join CKA, KAC-Metro Atlanta, and Korean American organizations across the country for a Worldwide vigil honoring the Atlanta victims today at 7:30 pm ET.
- Join the Statement in Solidarity with the Georgia Community organized by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Atlanta and the Georgia NAACP.
- Share media resources prepared by the Asian American Journalists Association.
- Support the Atlanta community and the victims with the AAPI Leaders Table.
- Sign up to provide pro bono legal services and support with the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association.
- Urge your company, association, and organization to issue a statement against Asian hate.
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC & iHollaback: Anti-harassment & bystander intervention training
- Asian American Federation: Stay Safe from Hate Guides (in 5 languages)
- APALA: #WeKeepUsSafe Resource Guide on Anti-Asian Violence
- PBS: Asian Americans documentary is available to stream for free
- NBC News: The model minority myth says all Asians are successful. Why that’s dangerous.
- NPR’s Code Switch: Screams & Silence – Asian American activists, professors, and organizers on anti-Asian hate crimes in the aftermath of Atlanta shootings
- NY Mag: 68 Ways to Donate to Support Asian Communities
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The Council of Korean Americans is a national nonprofit organization. Our mission is to advance the national voice, interest, and influence of the Korean American community through education, collaboration, and leadership development.
For Media Inquiries, contact:
Ruth Song, 202-660-0900, media@councilka.org