CAPAC Members Observe AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate

CAPAC Members Observe AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate

Washington, D.C. —  Today, Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) observed the fourth annual National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate. This date falls on the birthday of Vincent Chin, who was brutally murdered in 1982 in a hate crime. CAPAC Members released the following statements:

 

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27):

 

“Four decades ago, Vincent Chin was brutally murdered by two out-of-work auto workers who mistakenly believed he was Japanese and blamed him for the loss of American jobs. Today, the same hate that killed Vincent continues to cost AAPIs their lives. There have been over 11,000 anti-Asian hate incidents reported just since March 2020. AAPI children, parents, and elders should not have to worry about being the victims of bullying or hate crimes simply because of the way they look or who they are. Xenophobia and hate have no place in our country. It’s incumbent on all of us to speak out against bigotry and recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive and understanding society. So, as we commemorate the fourth annual AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, let us recommit ourselves to denouncing hate in all its forms.”

 

Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice-Chair:

 

“On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we acknowledge the work that remains in order to stop the disturbing and troubling trend of hate and bullying toward the AAPI community. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, our community has been facing unspeakable acts of hate and violence. These incidents must end. Education is an important first step in helping disarm the uninformed of the vitriol and violence they hurl at our communities. I am encouraged that last month, my bill to establish a study commission to investigate the feasibility of creating a national AAPI museum passed the House of Representatives unanimously. A national museum would help combat the myth that AAPIs are forever foreigners by preserving and displaying the history, culture, and accomplishments of our community. Let us continue to work within our community and with other communities today and every day to fight injustice, hatred, and violence whenever and wherever we encounter it.”

Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Second Vice-Chair:

“For the past two years, the AAPI community has been targeted due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the harmful rhetoric that ensued as a result. National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is our chance to call attention to the pain experienced by AAPIs across the country, especially over the past two years, and to commit to speaking out against violence and discrimination when we see it. No one – no one – should ever fall victim to any kind of racism or xenophobia.”

Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:

“Today is National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, a time to reflect on the resilience of the AAPI community in Southern California and throughout the country. COVID-19 has been used as a tool to spread bigotry and hatred. In the past two years, we’ve seen many instances of discrimination and harassment toward Asian Americans in our schools, shopping centers, places of work, and even within our own government. It’s highly important that today – and every day – we work against forces of hate and racist discourse and support our AAPI communities.”

Senator Tammy Duckworth (IL):

“Vincent Chin would have turned 67 today. But his life—and too many others—were tragically cut short by anti-Asian hate and senseless violence simply because they are members of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. On this fourth annual AANHPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we must build on our COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and do more to end this vicious cycle of violence that has plagued our fellow Americans for far too long. We are not the ‘other.’”

Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07):

“On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we recommit to combatting the disturbing rise in violence and hate that has been directed towards the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. We must stand together, not just in words but also action, to reduce and eliminate acts of xenophobic, religious, and racial hatred and violence. That’s why I was proud to join colleagues in passing the COVID–19 Hate Crimes Act to bring our nation one step closer to achieving justice and equality for the AAPI community. As our country continues to face the threat of harmful conspiracy theories and disinformation, it is important to remember that our words and actions matter. Hate has no home in America as we continue the fight to create a more kind, accepting, and loving world for every generation that follows.”

Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):

“As we observe National Asian American and Pacific Islander Day Against Bullying and Hate, we remember and honor the life of Vincent Chin who was tragically killed in a hate crime four decades ago. Vincent Chin’s murder led to a national reckoning over xenophobia and violence against the AAPI community. Unfortunately we are still working to combat the racism and hate that led to his death today. I stand with my CAPAC colleagues against violence, discrimination, and bullying in all forms.”

Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03):

“This year’s AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate comes in the wake of yet another violent hate crime in America. We must not grow numb to these tragedies.  We cannot normalize bullying, hate and violent extremism.  From Charleston to Orlando and Atlanta to Buffalo, our country mourns for those lives lost.  We must confront, call out, and eliminate the sickness of bitterness and hate that infects our country.  We must reject “otherizing” any person or community because of their faith, ethnicity or color of skin.  As an Asian American, I am proud to stand side-by-side with leaders of all different faiths, ethnicities, races and beliefs to unequivocally reject hate and commit ourselves to building a community of support through healing, empathy, tolerance and understanding.”

 

Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):

 

“Today, I stand with the AANHPI community in the East Bay and across the globe to commemorate the National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate. This day marks the birthday of Vincent Chin, who in 1982 was the tragic victim of a hate crime that highlighted our country’s pervasive history of anti-AANHPI racism and violence. In the decades since, countless others have faced the consequences of bigoted anti-AANHPI rhetoric, whether a passing remark in school or a horrific attack brought on by COVID misinformation. Congress and the American people must strongly condemn bullying and hate against the AANHPI community in all its forms. Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01):

“Our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors should be able to feel safe and be safe in their own communities. Yet almost half of the Asian Oregonians responding to a recent survey reported that they had a racial slur used against them or a family member. And just this month, three Korean women were shot in Dallas at the Koreatown hair salon where they worked. This violence and vitriol have no place in our country, and I firmly stand with my fellow CAPAC members against these horrible acts of hate. Last year I supported the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, but it is clear that more needs to be done to address the spike in anti-AAPI racism. We must work together to support our AAPI community and move toward a more equitable and inclusive future.”

Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux (GA-07):

“On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate I recommit to ensuring all our AAPI neighbors feel safe and respected. Recently our local Atlanta community has not only faced increased anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic but also grieved the lives stolen from us in the racially motivated Atlanta Spa Shootings. It is our duty to build off of our COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and combat anti-Asian hate in all forms and in all corners of our community. I am proud to stand with the AAPI community to move forward together against racism and hate violence.”

Congresswoman Katherine Clark (MA-05):

“As we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, we must also acknowledge the heightened discrimination facing the AAPI community since the beginning of the pandemic, including as recently as last weekend, when three Asian-run businesses in Dallas experienced targeted gun violence. On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, it is imperative to continue uplifting the AAPI community, calling out hate in all its forms, and recognizing the resiliency and strength of AAPIs.”

Congressman Adam Smith (WA-09):

 

“Today marks the fourth annual Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) National Day Against Bullying and Hate. Members of the AAPI community have long faced bullying, hatred, and violence, and tragically, this has worsened over the past two years as the COVID-19 pandemic triggered rising numbers of Anti-Asian hate crimes. I’m proud to represent a large AAPI community, and I am committed to fighting against the xenophobic and racist hatred that prevents my constituents from feeling safe in their own schools, places of work, and neighborhoods. Today we must come together to denounce bullying, hated, and violence in all forms and recommit ourselves to building a more inclusive society.”