Refugee Congress condemns violence targeting AAPI Communities
Refugee Congress condemns the violent shooting targeting Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
For immediate release: March. 17, 2021
WASHINGTON-- Refugee Congress is deeply devastated by the violence that took place yesterday in Atlanta, Georgia, where a 21-year-old man shot and killed eight individuals, six of whom were Asian women.
The violent killings yesterday took place amidst increased violence and racism directed towards our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members, but racism and xenophobia directed toward the AAPI community has a long history in the U.S. Refugee Congress strongly condemns racism directed at our AAPI community members.
“Asians and Asian Americans in the U.S. have been targeted, excluded and scapegoated for centuries. The Chinese were the first group to be banned from obtaining citizenship through multiple Chinese Exclusion Acts. Japanese American citizens were incarcerated in internment camps due to their country of origin. The first U.S. race-based hate crimes law was directly due to the murder of a Chinese American. We must show solidarity, dismantle white supremacy and condemn hatred in all forms through action,” said Nga Vương-Sandoval, Refugee Congress Delegate for Colorado.
Today is the anniversary of the signing of the Refugee Act of 1980, in which the U.S. codified its dedication to welcoming those seeking refuge. We must commit to ensuring that our AAPI community feels safe, welcomed and safeguarded from racism in all forms.
“Since the start of the pandemic, we have seen a significant increase of bigotry, violence and hate towards our Asian American families steered by misinformation, hatred, prejudice and some irresponsible elected officials," said Dauda Sesay, Refugee Congress Board Vice Chair and Delegate for Louisiana.
Refugee Congress is committed to addressing deeply rooted systems of racial inequity, violence and injustice in this country. As former refugees and asylum-seekers, we are survivors of war and genocide, and we know the devastating impacts of injustice and hate.
“As a Muslim refugee, I know firsthand what it feels like to be targeted and discriminated against. The pain and consequences of these types of actions are devastating to our communities,” said Nejra Sumic, Refugee Congress Delegate for Arizona. “This is why I stand in solidarity with Asian American families who have been the target of discrimination and violence by extremists. There is no place for hatred and bigotry, and we must all stand against it.”
Refugee Congress calls on everyone to stand against racial injustice and violence. We stand in solidarity with our AAPI community and the people of Atlanta.
###
Refugee Congress is a nonpartisan advocacy organization built and led by former refugees, asylum-seekers and other vulnerable migrants to promote the well-being, integration and dignity of all vulnerable migrants. With delegates across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, we use our voices and experiences to inform and influence decision-makers on critical domestic and international issues that affect our communities.
MEDIA CONTACT: (202) 905-6238, media@refugeecongress.org
