WASHINGTON – Today the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Georgia issued the following statement in response to the rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community, including the mass shootings across Atlanta on March 16th:
“The League of Women Voters grieves the murders of the eight individuals who were killed on Tuesday, March 16th, and the countless other AAPI lives that have been tragically taken as a result of racially motivated violence. We mourn those who have lost their lives or been harmed, mentally or physically, as a result of anti-Asian xenophobia and racism.
“Anti-AAPI racism is not new to our country, whose history includes the creation of internment camps, the Chinese Exclusion Act which prohibited Chinese laborers, as well as countless acts of violence. Yet in the past year, we have witnessed a disturbing increase in attacks targeting AAPIs, often in connection with myths about COVID-19.
“Together, the League of Women Voters of the United States and the League of Women Voters of Georgia call on law enforcement officials to seek justice for those murdered on Tuesday night. Additionally, we urge Attorney General Garland and FBI Director Wray to prioritize the investigation of anti-AAPI hate crimes. We cannot fight the racism, hate, and impunity that threaten the lives of AAPIs unless our leadership takes the necessary actions to denounce racist violence and demand accountability in its wake.
"The League stands in solidarity with AAPI communities. We are committed to listening to and amplifying AAPI voices and educating ourselves on the historic and ongoing systemic racism that plagues this country so that we can be better allies.
“We urge our followers to do the same, and to call on elected and appointed officials at all levels of government to demonstrate their commitment to keeping ALL communities safe. There can be no liberty in the face of racist and xenophobic violence.”
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Contact: Lilly McGee | 202-263-1329 | lmcgee@lwv.org
Contact: Christian Luster | 404-522-4598 | christian@lwvga.org
