Salt Lake politicians and representatives from Utah’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community released a statement on Wednesday condemning the rise in anti-Asian crimes across the country, including the mass shooting that killed six women of Asian descent on Tuesday.
“We are devastated by the news of last night’s shootings in Atlanta, Georgia, and we express our sincerest condolences to all the victims and their families who are affected by this tragedy,” reads the statement. “While the motives connected to these horrifying killings are yet to be settled, it is deeply disturbing that many of the fatalities are among the most vulnerable in our communities: women of Asian descent.”
The six women were killed when a man opened fire at massage parlors in Georgia. A white woman and man died too.
There have been numerous reports of anti-Asian violence over the past year. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University in San Bernardino reported a 149% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes in large cities across the United States in 2020.
“It is clear that anti-Asian hate incidents have exploded over the past year across our country,” continues the statement, which is co-signed by Sen. Jani Iwamoto, Rep. Karen Kwan, Councilmember Jake Fitisemanu Jr., Salt Lake District Attorney Sim Gill, Councilmember Darin Mano and representatives of Utah’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community, which includes the Asian Association of Utah.
“The increase of anti-Asian hate speech is absolutely unacceptable and must stop. Divisive rhetoric, such as describing the Coronavirus as the “Chinese Virus,” has increased acts of hate against members of the AA&PI community broadly. Unfortunately, too often acts of hate go unreported. We urge all Utahns to come together, to call out hateful rhetoric, and to support one another as we get through this challenging time. Hate does not have a place in our community, but your safety and security does. You are not alone.”
While the reported motivations behind the tragic shootings of Asian American women in Atlanta yesterday are still under investigation –it is clear that anti-Asian hate incidents have exploded over the past year across the U.S. The increase of anti-Asian hate speech must stop. pic.twitter.com/WxmZeBxghx
— Karen Kwan (@RepKarenKwan) March 17, 2021
from The Salt Lake Tribune https://ift.tt/3cJdqvF
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