Asian Americans/Pacific Islanders Under Attack

SUMMARY:

CART has issued an Inland Empire Antiracist Advisory to ensure that violence is not committed against members of the Asian American/Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the Inland Empire. Since the constant reference of COVID-19 as the "China Virus" and "Kung Flu," we have seen a growing number of attacks on AAPI community members. Asian Americans across the United States are reporting a significant increase in hate crimes, harassment and discrimination tied to the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic. Such violence and racism must be unacceptable in our communities.

DURATION:

• Issued: March 8, 2021

• Expires: August 31, 2021

DETAILS:

Among recent incidents: In January, an 84-year-old Thai American man was brutally shoved in San Francisco and later died. That same month, police in Oakland, California, said a young man shoved three elderly people to the ground from behind in the city's Chinatown neighborhood, knocking out one. And this week, a 36-year old Asian man in New York's Chinatown neighborhood was stabbed and taken to the hospital in critical condition. The surge in hate incidents against the Asian American community since the start of the pandemic was ignited last winter when Trump began scapegoating Chinese people for the explosion of coronavirus in the United States. The group Stop AAPI Hate started tracking anti-Asian hate nationwide beginning in mid-March. It recorded more than 2,800 accounts by the end of 2020.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

1. Use your social media to speak out against attacks on Asian American/Pacific Islander communities.

2. Defend members of the AAPI community when you witness them being harassed or attacked in public or online.

3. Educate others. Know the truth and tell it. There is too much misinformation being spread like wildfire.

• Asian Americans should not be feared. They cannot spread the virus more than us.

• The AAPI community is an honorable and important part of our society. Their culture and values make us stronger as a community.

4. Your choice can make a difference. Choose non-violent ways to make your voice heard and encourage friends and family to do the same.

5. Communities are strongest when they are not divided. Strengthen your community by standing together against racism and violence.