STATEMENT: REGARDING THE RECENT ATTACKS AGAINST THE AAPI COMMUNITY

Since the beginning of this pandemic, we have seen a sudden increase in anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) racism. These sentiments were only exasperated by the false blame placed on members of the AAPI community by the former president. 

While law enforcement has stated the causes for yesterday’s attack in Georgia remain unclear, we have still seen over 3,800 anti-AAPI incidents across the country in the last year. In Oregon alone, we’ve seen a 366% jump in hate crimes during the COVID pandemic. Hate crimes against the AAPI community have always been a part of America’s history of white supremacy, but we must push our community away from the racist tendencies of its past.  

Let me make this very clear: I condemn all anti-AAPI racism. I condemn any association drawn between COVID-19 and AAPI persons. And I condemn any attacks against AAPI persons or businesses.

We must unite against racism.

We must unite against white supremacy.

We cannot remain silent.

To the members of our AAPI community, I mourn with you, I see you.

Hate has no place in our country, in our state, and especially not in our community.

Sincerely,

Ashley Hartmeier-Prigg

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