Baker-Polito Administration Announces Report to Inform Offshore Wind Workforce Development in the Commonwealth

Baker-Polito Administration Announces Report to Inform Offshore Wind Workforce Development in the Commonwealth 

New Bedford – Advancing efforts to build a skilled, diverse, and equitable offshore wind workforce in the Commonwealth, the Baker-Polito Administration today announced the release of a new report assessing the workforce strengths, gaps, and opportunities in Massachusetts for the emerging industry. The report, sponsored by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center and authored by BW Research Partnership, analyzes offshore wind workforce development in the Northeast with a specific focus on Massachusetts. The release of the report was announced by Governor Charlie Baker, Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito, Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides, and state and local officials at the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal as part of Climate Week in Massachusetts. During the event, Governor Baker also highlighted his plan to invest $100 million in critical port infrastructure through the Administration’s proposal to put federal COVID relief funding to immediate use in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.

“As Massachusetts prepares for the construction of the first commercial scale offshore wind project in the nation, our Administration is focused on ensuring our workforce is trained, ready, and offers pathways to employment for all residents, especially in the communities that can most benefit from this generational economic opportunity,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “To ensure we maximize the economic potential of this industry and build on assets like the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal, our Administration is proposing a significant investment in critical port infrastructure to meet the scale of offshore wind development in the Northeast and help us achieve our ambitious climate goals.”

“Our Administration is at the forefront of developing crucial workforce training capacity and opportunities here in Massachusetts,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “As we focus on developing a highly-skilled workforce, we will continue to prioritize equity and diversity, access to opportunity, and the availability of critical safety training our workers will need to build the nation-leading Vineyard Wind project.”

The workforce study provides an overview of the existing, relevant regional training programs, including grantees awarded under MassCEC’s 2018 and 2020 workforce development awards. The analysis also examines the workforce needed to achieve Massachusetts’ ambitious offshore wind goals, and the state’s ability to supply the necessary workers. Furthermore, the report includes a focus on priority communities in which to focus workforce development efforts based on equity, need, and current workforce supply. The findings of this report will help inform the Administration’s offshore wind workforce efforts over the next several years, and is already been used by MassCEC to develop a career pathway mapping tool on its Careers Training and Education Directory (www.cleanenergyeducation.org ).

The study also highlights the Administration’s work to establish the Commonwealth as a national leader in the development of offshore wind-specific training, with seven of the 12 training programs operating in the Northeast located in Massachusetts.

“Offshore wind is the anchor for the Baker-Polito Administration’s strategy to reach net zero emissions by 2050, offering Massachusetts an opportunity to produce clean energy while creating a new economic engine that will lead to jobs and investment in the South Coast and other regions across the Commonwealth,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Kathleen Theoharides. “As we leverage our network of educational institutions and work together to develop a diverse, inclusive workforce, we must also make smart, timely investments in our port assets so Massachusetts can capitalize on the economic potential of this industry in the Northeast market.”

“The Commonwealth is well-positioned to generate new workforce opportunities in the emerging offshore wind industry,” said MassCEC Interim CEO Jennifer Daloisio. “This report highlights the Baker-Polito Administration’s efforts to build a diverse, equitable and inclusive offshore wind workforce, providing critical job opportunities for all residents of the Commonwealth.”

Constructed and operated by the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center (MassCEC), the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal is a 29-acre heavy-lift facility designed to support the construction, assembly, and deployment of offshore wind projects, as well as handle bulk, break-bulk, container, and large specialty marine cargo.  The first port in North America specifically purpose-built to support the staging and installation of offshore wind components, the terminal has been engineered to sustain mobile crane and storage loads that rival the highest capacity ports in the world. In August 2020, the Administration announced the signing of lease agreements with Vineyard Wind and Mayflower Wind to utilize the New Bedford Marine Commerce Terminal as the primary staging and deployment base for the construction and installation of their offshore wind projects located in federal waters south of Martha’s Vineyard. The lease agreements commit the facility to full-time offshore wind work from 2023 into 2027 and are worth more than $32.5 million.

The report from MassCEC and BW Research Partnership follows and builds upon a 2018 offshore wind workforce assessment by MassCEC in partnership with UMass Dartmouth, Bristol Community College, and the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. That study reviewed the economic impact associated with 1,600 megawatts of offshore wind and found an anticipated direct economic impact of $600-$800 million and a total economic impact of $1.4 - $2.1 billion. Since that report was released the state’s commitment to offshore wind has grown to 5,600 megawatts, increasing the potential economic opportunity.

“Bristol Community College is proud to play a key role in training Massachusetts workers and supporting the development of a diverse, equitable and inclusive offshore wind industry in the Southcoast region,” said Dr. Laura L. Douglas, President, Bristol Community College. “In collaboration with our partners, Bristol’s National Offshore Wind Institute (NOWI) will provide our region with the most in-demand technical skills and safety training required for high-paying careers in this emerging industry.”

“Building an effective and inclusive offshore wind industry that lifts up Massachusetts workers, while putting in place the clean energy the Commonwealth needs, will require a real partnership between State government, wind developers, and local institutions,” said Mayflower Wind CEO Michael Brown. “The commitment to port development and workforce training being made today by the State fits together perfectly with Mayflower Wind’s plans to invest in the ports of the SouthCoast and in the schools and training institutions that will prepare the workforce that we and our supply chain need.”

“Governor Baker and his administration have had the vision and taken the actions that have allowed us to take giant steps forward as we build the first commercial scale windfarm in the U.S.,” said Rachel Pachter, Chief Development Officer for Vineyard Wind. “The report being released today provides a blueprint that builds on a track record of success, and will help us to meet the demand for a well trained workforce that will grow significantly over the coming years.”

During this year’s Climate Week in Massachusetts, the Baker-Polito Administration is highlighting its commitment to reducing emissions, mitigating the impacts of climate change, and building a more resilient Commonwealth. Throughout Climate Week, the Administration is holding events to spotlight important initiatives including offshore wind, land protection and conservation, the Greening the Gateway Cities program, and the expansion of clean energy in the Commonwealth. The Administration is also highlighting the urgent demand for funding to support climate resiliency in Massachusetts, and Governor Baker’s plan to immediately put to use part of Commonwealth’s direct federal aid from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to support critical priorities in cities and towns. The Administration’s plan would commit $900 million to key energy and environmental initiatives, including $700 million to support water infrastructure upgrades and climate resiliency, and $100 million to invest in port infrastructure to support the offshore wind industry.

On March 26, 2021, Governor Baker signed comprehensive climate change legislation that enshrined the Administration’s target of Net Zero emissions by 2050 into law, significantly increased protections for Environmental Justice communities across Massachusetts, and authorized the Commonwealth to procure an additional 2,400 Megawatts (MW) of clean, reliable offshore wind energy by 2027. In September 2016, Governor Baker signed Executive Order 569 which lays out a comprehensive approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth. In April 2021, the Administration announced it had achieved its goal of investing $1 billion in climate change mitigation in adaptation since 2015 through programs like the nation-leading Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Program, which has now enrolled 93 percent of cities and towns in Massachusetts.

FAISA SHARIF JOINS ANNISSA FOR BOSTON CAMPAIGN AS COALITIONS DIRECTOR

FAISA SHARIF JOINS ANNISSA FOR BOSTON CAMPAIGN 

AS COALITIONS DIRECTOR

Boston, MA — Today, Annissa for Boston announced that Faisa Sharif will be joining the campaign as Coalitions Director. Sharif will lead the campaign’s community outreach operation and help to build relationships with community leaders, organizations and constituencies across the city. 

Formerly the Deputy Director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhood Services and the mayoral liaison for the city’s Somali community, as well as the South End and Bay Village, Sharif has strong ties to Boston’s neighborhoods and recognizes how critical it is for all communities to be engaged and involved in local government. Last year, she also worked alongside the City’s Boston Police Reform Task Force and helped deliver the final recommendations for action and reform to former Mayor Walsh. 

“This race for Mayor is too important for me to just sit out,” said Sharif. “I’m thrilled to join Annissa, share her solid record of results in our neighborhoods and her big vision for Boston, and engage with and bring together every resident, neighborhood, and community to elect her as the next Mayor of Boston.”

BLO RETURNS WITH MASCAGNI’S ONE-ACT CLASSIC - Cavalleria Rusticana

            BLO RETURNS WITH MASCAGNI’S ONE-ACT CLASSIC; 

       PRODUCTION MOVES TO OPEN-AIR LEADER BANK PAVILION

Featuring fully live performances by Boston Lyric Opera’s Orchestra and Chorus

MICHELLE JOHNSON, ADAM DIEGEL, NINA YOSHIDA NELSEN,

 JAVIER ARREY AND CHELSEA BASLER LEAD THE CAST 

DIRECTED BY GISELLE TY, CONDUCTED BY BLO MUSIC DIRECTOR DAVID ANGUS

 

TWO PERFORMANCES ONLY: OCTOBER 1 & 3, 2021

  BOSTON -- Updated September 22, 2021* -- Boston Lyric Opera (BLO) opens its new season October 1 @ 7:30 PM and October 3 @ 3 PM with the company’s first production of “Cavalleria Rusticana,” composer Pietro Mascagni’s one-act verismo tale of love, betrayal and death in a small Sicilian village.  In a change from its previously announced plans, and to ensure the safest possible performances for audience members, artists, staff and backstage workers, BLO’s “Cavalleria” will open at the Leader Bank Pavilion in Boston's Seaport District. The Pavilion's open-air structure allows BLO to produce large-scale live performances, with full live orchestra and chorus; the venue’s larger capacity means BLO will have two performances instead of the previously announced four.

BLO Music Director and Conductor David Angus will lead BLO’s Orchestra and Chorus. Giselle Ty, who served as Assistant Director on BLO's 2016 production of "Werther," returns as stage director, replacing previously announced stage director Sarna Lapine.

In reflecting on BLO’s return to full performances,  Stanford Calderwood Acting General and Artistic Director Bradley Vernatter saluted not only the resilience of the company’s artists, staff, board and supporters, but also a shared belief in the power of music and storytelling. “We’re aiming to make ‘Cavalleria’ a thrilling return to live opera with full musical forces,” Vernatter says. “The work required to pull off a production of this scale is monumental; it requires an accomplished team and a supportive community. I’ve been proud that BLO has kept artists employed through our digital projects and Street Stage performances during the roughest days of the pandemic.  But it’s especially rewarding to provide so many opportunities for artists and production personnel to join us for our first full-length opera, with a complete orchestra and chorus for a live audience, since the pandemic began." 

Vernatter also announced the company will implement COVID safety protocols that align with other area performing arts organizations returning this fall and its own Health Task Force for Opera Artists, the high-profile panel of health-care professionals formed last year to provide medical knowledge and protocol guidance. BLO patrons attending “Cavalleria” at the Leader Bank Pavilion are required to show either proof of full vaccination, a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of the performance, or an antigen test taken within the previous 24 hours. Face masks are required for all patrons except when eating and drinking.

 CASTING

 The full cast for BLO’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” includes:

·       Soprano Michelle Johnson, known for a powerful voice and commanding dramatic presence -- and an alumna of New England Conservatory and the Boston University (BU) Opera Institute -- will sing the role of Santuzza; 

·       Tenor Adam Diegel, who has received international critical acclaim for his powerful performance of Cavaradossi in Tosca at Glimmerglass Opera, will sing Turiddu.  

·       Mezzo-soprano Nina Yoshida Nelsen, a singer equally at home on opera and symphonic stages who has performed world premieres at Houston Grand Opera and Seattle Opera, and a Boston University graduate with a Bachelor’s in violin performance and a Master’s in Music (Opera), returns to Boston to sings Lucia; 

·       Chilean-American baritone Javier Arrey holds a Congressional Medal of Honor from the Chilean government both for his career and his work bringing opera to people without access to live performances. A veteran of opera productions and concerts alike, Arrey performs here as Alfio; and 

·       Grammy-nominated soprano Chelsea Basler, who has enjoyed a strong relationship with the company since debuting as an Emerging Artist in 2014 most recently voiced the ethereal Madeline in BLO’s operabox.tv production of “The Fall of the House of Usher” for BLO’s groundbreaking operabox.tv streaming service earlier this year, sings Lola.

-more-

Cast changes have occurred since BLO announced “Cavalleria” in May: Michelle Johnson replaces J’Nai Bridges; Javier Arrey replaces Alfred Walker.

Three dancers featured in the performance include Victoria L. Awkward, Michayla Kelly and Marissa Molinar.

ABOUT “CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA”

 With a score by Pietro Mascagni, and a libretto by Giovanni Targioni-Tozzetti and Guido Menasci, “Cavalleria Rusticana” tells a story of four lovers that centers on a returning soldier who finds his fiancée has married a different man. “Cavalleria” is loved for its passionate story and classic score, whose swooning “Intermezzo” will be familiar to audiences, having been heard on numerous cinematic soundtracks.

 Young soldier Turiddu learns upon his return home that his betrothed, Lola, has married another man while he was away.  Seeking revenge, he seduces Santuzza, who suspects him of having an affair with Lola when he disappears after their time together. She in turn takes her own revenge, telling Lola’s husband Alfio that his wife had been unfaithful with Turiddu. Seeing his rage, Santuzza immediately regrets the revelation. But it’s too late; Alfio challenges Turiddu to a duel and Turiddu accepts, asking his mother Lucia to care for Santuzza if he should not return. The unsurprising news of Turiddu’s death nevertheless shakes his mother, his once-betrothed, and his lover to their cores. They respectively weep, collapse in the arms of others, and faint away.

 “Cavalleria” will be sung in Italian, with English surtitles. The approximate run time of this performance is 70 minutes, with no intermission.

 PRODUCTION AND ARTISTIC TEAM

 Stage Director for “Cavalleria Rusticana” is Giselle Ty. David Angus conducts the Boston Lyric Opera Orchestra and Chorus, whose members are listed here. Brett Hodgdon is Chorus Master.  Stage Manager is Mike Janney.

 Julia Noulin-Mérat is Designer for the production. Costume Designer is Gail Astrid Buckley, Lighting Designer is Molly Tiede.  Wig and Makeup Design is by Ronell Oliveri.  Choreography is by Levi Marsman.

 VENUE AND TICKETS

Boston Lyric Opera’s “Cavalleria Rusticana” will be performed Fri., Oct. 1 @ 7:30 pm and Sun., Oct. 3 @ 3 pm at the Leader Bank Pavilion, 290 Northern Avenue in Boston’s Seaport District.

Individual tickets range from $10 to $180 plus fees, and will be available Fri., Sep. 10 at blo.org/tickets.

Information about “Cavalleria Rusticana,” next spring’s “Champion: An Opera in Jazz,” access to a new digital production of “Svadba” this winter, and all streaming content on BLO’s operabox.tv, is available at blo.org.

 HEALTH AND SAFETY PROTOCOL DETAILS

 “Cavalleria Rusticana” will be presented in an intermission-free production designed to ensure the safest possible artist and audience experience, which Vernatter says is BLO’s top priority. The company uses recommendations from its Health Task Force for Opera Artists alongside CDC, City of Boston and venue protocols, and artist union recommendations to develop plans for audience, staff and artists.  Boston Lyric Opera COVID-19 Policies can be found here.

·     BLO will continue to monitor public health conditions, refine protocols as situations change, and send updated details to patrons in advance of their performance dates.

BLO is committed to institutional flexibility this season and will provide accommodations for patrons who are feeling sick or need to pause their return to the theater.

·       BLO will provide updated COVID and health protocol information on its website, blo.org.

OTHER NEWS: NEW ADDRESS, NEW NEIGHBORHOOD

 Boston Lyric Opera has moved its headquarters to a new office at Midway Artist Studios in the Fort Point Arts Neighborhood, joining the many artists and cultural organizations that comprise that section of the city. 

Acting General and Artistic Director Bradley Vernatter says “BLO is excited and proud to join this arts neighborhood, which is recognized as one of largest communities of artists in New England. Making Fort Point our home, alongside so many other creators, contributes to the vibrancy of one of Boston’s creative centers.”

Previously, BLO mounted productions of “Clemency” and “The Rape of Lucretia” in the neighborhood, at the Artists For Humanity EpiCenter, located near Midway Artist Studios

Kim Janey響應拜登"美國居"計畫 明年底前讓1100戶恢復有瓦遮頭

MAYOR JANEY ANNOUNCES PARTICIPATION IN PRESIDENT BIDEN’S “HOUSE AMERICA” INITIATIVE TO END HOMELESSNESS The City commits to rehousing 1,100 households and creating 650 units of housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

 

BOSTON - Wednesday, September 22, 2021 - Today Mayor Kim Janey joined other cities and municipalities to announce Boston’s commitment to participate in President Biden’s House America program to prevent homelessness. House America is the federal government’s direct response to the crisis of housing insecurity. In March, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its 2020 Annual Homeless Assessment Report Part 1 to Congress, which found that more than 580,000 people across the country experienced homelessness in the United States on a single night in January 2020, prior to the pandemic. COVID-19 has created greater urgency to address homelessness, given economic disparities and the heightened health risks faced by people experiencing homelessness. However, COVID-19 has slowed re-housing activities due to capacity issues and impacts on rental market vacancies.  “It is crucial that we ensure that residents of Boston have safe, stable housing especially during this time of global pandemic,” said Mayor Kim Janey. “I am proud to announce that the City of Boston will be joining the call to action laid out by President Biden and HUD Secretary Fudge. This support from the federal government builds on the progress Boston is already making with our Housing Stability Agenda, making sure our most vulnerable residents are protected.”  House America calls on state, tribal, and local leaders to partner with HUD to use American Rescue Plan funding, as well as other resources to re-house individuals experiencing homelessness. The City of Boston is committing to rehouse 1,100 households that have experienced or will experience homelessness between now and December 31, 2022. During this same period, Boston has committed to fund the creation of 650 units of housing for people facing housing insecurity. The majority of this housing will be paired with supportive services to allow individuals to remain stably housed. House America affirms the Housing First approach, and seeks to have new units of affordable housing, including new permanent supportive housing units, added to the development pipeline by no later than December 31, 2022.  “The health and well-being of individuals and families and the economic security of our communities is at stake,” said Housing and Urban Development Secretary Marcia L. Fudge. “It’s going to take government working at all levels and local collaboration to address homelessness and to guarantee housing as a right for every American. Together, let’s House America.”  The City of Boston’s collaborative work to house, shelter, and keep homeless individuals and families safe has continued throughout the pandemic. To help keep people in their homes, Mayor Janey announced the Housing Stability Agenda in August. This action created a citywide moratorium and plans for a Foreclosure Prevention Fund. Since the launch of Rising to the Challenge: Boston's Plan to Prevent and End Youth and Young Adult Homelessness in December 2019, the City of Boston has housed more than 156 youth between the ages of 18 and 24 years old experiencing homelessness. This goal was achieved despite the economic downturn associated with the pandemic. Boston’s Way Home, the City’s plan to end chronic and veteran homelessness utilizes the housing first approach, an evidence-based process premised on the value that everyone is deserving of permanent and stable housing without preconditions like sobriety or treatment. Since the plan’s launch in 2015, City agencies and community partners have dramatically redesigned the way Boston responds to individuals experiencing homelessness, increasing resources devoted to housing, prioritizing the most vulnerable, and deploying new technologies to efficiently match homeless individuals with housing. Since the launch of Boston’s Way Home, the City has: ·    Housed more than 1,094 chronically homeless individuals, representing more than 7,000 years of homelessness ended. (The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development defines chronically homeless individuals as adults with a disability who have been either living in an emergency shelter or a place not meant for human habitation continuously for 12 months or more, or who have had four occasions of homelessness in the past three years that total 12 months or more.) ·    Reduced chronic homelessness in Boston by 19 percent since 2016, at a time when chronic homelessness has been rising nationally ·    Housed more than 1,500 homeless veterans and ended chronic homelessness among veterans ·    Reduced the number of homeless veterans in Boston on a single night by 32 percent since 2014 ·    Reached the goal of raising more than $10 million for the Boston’s Way Home Fund to build 200 new units of supportive, long-term housing for chronically homeless men and women.

昆士龍鳳台灣美食展慶中華民國110年暨中秋 (圖片，謝如鍵提供)

 

亞裔推進正義協會 - AAJC 與 Hollaback！宣佈9月24日開展普通話和粵語版的旁觀者干預培訓

Advancing Justice – AAJC and Hollaback! Announce September 24 Bystander Intervention training in Mandarin and Cantonese
Groups expand language access to training amid increase in anti-Asian Hate

Washington, D.C—Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC and Hollaback! announce their first Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment training in Chinese. The free 75-minute interactive training will be facilitated by two trainers and a team of interpreters in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin on September 24 at 3:00 PM EST. In addition to simultaneous interpretation, the presentation uses slides that are in English and traditional Chinese. The upcoming session will be the first in a series of bilingual trainings, including Korean, Vietnamese, Hindi, Tagalog, and Thai.

As anti-Asian racism and xenophobia persist, Advancing Justice – AAJC and Hollaback! have continued their partnership to teach effective solutions that will help community members safely intervene in acts of hate. Anti-Asian racism and xenophobia have long been part of American history, and have manifested against different Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander communities in many ways over the years. As the Covid-19 pandemic has continued, there has been more harassment, discrimination, and even violence directed at these communities. Just last month, the 2020 FBI Hate Crime Statistics reported that hate crimes in the U.S. have spiked to their highest level in 20 years.

“We are pleased to offer our first multilingual training after an incredible community response to our bystander intervention training and high demand for training in different languages to make the sessions more accessible to all who need them,” said Marita Etcubañez Senior Director of Strategic Initiatives. “As part of our response to anti-Asian hate, Advancing Justice –  AAJC continues to provide the tools and resources to deepen understanding of the reality and history of anti-Asian harassment, to learn how to be active bystanders, and to practice using Hollaback!’s 5D’s of bystander intervention methodology to broader audiences —and now also in multiple Asian languages.”

“We are always looking for ways to broaden our training, and we look forward to offering the training in Mandarin and Cantonese,” said Emily May, Executive Director of Hollaback! “We are grateful for our continued partnership with Advancing Justice – AAJC and the opportunity to empower more people to be active bystanders in the face of hate.”

Asian Americans Advancing Justice encourages the reporting of hate crimes and hate incidents through StandAgainstHatred.org, a website that allows people to anonymously report incidents in English, Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese. Understanding the breadth and depth of hate crimes and hate incidents taking place across the country is critical to maintaining a pulse on the experiences of Asian Americans so that we can proactively address hate and harassment in our communities. Hate incidents compound and can be indicators of systemic and broader societal issues that can escalate into more serious incidents, like the devastating attacks in Atlanta, Georgia.

Advancing Justice – AAJC and Hollaback! are planning to launch more Bystander Intervention Trainings in other languages in the upcoming months. To sign up for the first in this series, visit the registration page here. For more information on all of the training sessions that are being offered, click here. 

Special thanks to Cadence Translate for partnering to make our training accessible to those who need language support.

亞裔推進正義協會 - AAJC 與 Hollaback！宣佈9月24日開展普通話和粵語版的旁觀者干預培訓

反亞裔種族主義高漲，各團體擴大多語言培訓機會

華盛頓 — 亞裔推進正義協會 - AAJC 與 Hollaback！宣布首次開展中文版的旁觀者干預培訓，以消除反亞裔種族主義和仇外騷擾。9月24號美國東部時間下午3點，兩名導師及翻譯團隊將現場為觀眾提供英文、粵語及普通話版的培訓。在提供同聲翻譯的同時，我們還將使用中英文的幻燈片。此培訓將是一系列雙語培訓的第一個，我們在未來還將提供包括韓語、越南語、印地語、他加祿語和泰語的培訓。

由於反亞裔種族主義和仇外心理連續不斷，推進正義協會 - AAJC 與 Hollaback！繼續合作，傳授有效的解決方案，幫助社區成員安全地干預仇恨行為。反亞裔種族主義和仇外心理在美國歷史上的存在不可置否，並在多年來以不同的形式針對亞裔和太平洋島民。隨著新冠疫情的延續，針對這些社區的騷擾、歧視甚至暴力事件也越來越多。就在上個月，2020年聯邦調查局仇恨犯罪統計報告顯示，美國的仇恨犯罪數量增至20年來的最高水平。

戰略計劃高級總監 Marita Etcubañez 表示: “在社區的熱烈反饋下，也為了能讓更多人能夠參與培訓，我們很高興為大家提供首個雙語培訓。作為我們應對反亞裔仇恨的一部分，推進正義協會 - AAJC 將繼續提供各種工具和資源，以加深人們對反亞裔騷擾的現況和歷史的了解，學習如何成為積極的旁觀者，並練習使用 Hollaback！的旁觀者干預5D戰術 -- 現提供多種語言的培訓。

Hollaback！執行董事 Emily May 表示: “我們一直致力拓展培訓課程，並期待普通話及粵語版的培訓。我們感謝我們與推進正義協會 - AAJC 持續的合作關係， 並有機會讓更多的人在仇恨面前成為積極的旁觀者。”

推進正義協會 - AAJC 鼓勵人們通過 standagainsthatred.org 網站報告仇恨犯罪和仇恨事件。人們可以用英語、中文、韓語和越南語匿名報告事件。了解全國各地發生的仇恨犯罪和仇恨事件的廣度和深度，對於了解亞裔美國人的經歷至關重要，這樣我們才能積極應對針對我們社區的仇恨与騷擾。仇恨事件的加重可能是更廣泛、系統性的社會問題的徵兆，這些問題會惡化成為更嚴重的事件，例如在佐治亞州亞特蘭大發生的慘劇。

推進正義協會 - AAJC 和 Hollaback！計劃在未來幾個月内開展其他語言的旁觀者干預培訓。請點擊此處報名參與本系列的首次培訓。了解更多關於推進正義協會提供的培訓的信息，請點擊此處。