Condemn Racism and Violence Against Asian Communities Now!

Tuesday, March 31, 2020

Asian Minnesotan Organizations Urge Communities and Leaders to Be Proactive About COVID-19 Related to Racism and Violence Against APIs

We are a set of Asian Minnesotan organizations serving our diverse Asian and Pacific Islander (API) population across Minnesota. In recent weeks, we have heard stories of racism and violent acts of bigotry against API from within the state and across the country that have our community members worried about the safety of themselves and their families. Given the many historical examples of racism during times of crisis against Indigenous, Black, Latinx, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh immigrants, refugees and undocumented people, we urge communities and leaders to take this seriously before it escalates. In this unprecedented time, we must ensure everyone is cared for and feels safe. We stand together to condemn all acts of harassment, discrimination and bias against APIs, and call for more bold leadership and actions to protect all communities.

Because COVID-19 was unknown to the public until the outbreak in Wuhan, China, some Americans feel justified in spreading a xenophobic message that blames Asian-identifying people for this deadly virus. Racist actions have ranged from using xenophobic and racial slurs, to refusing customer service, to outright physical attacks. While there is understandable growing anxiety due to the spread of COVID-19, misplaced Asian rhetoric and discrimination weakens our collective ability to protect each other and work toward a healthier future.

Asian American history provides important lessons about how race has been used to demonize, exclude, and divert blame for America’s sufferings through:
  • the Chinese Exclusion Act
  • laws that prevented Filipino family reunification during the Great Depression
  • internment of Japanese Americans being labeled enemies during WWII
  • the killing of Vincent Chin during the American auto industry crash
  • attacking Muslims, Sikhs, and Hindus after 9/11
  • racist targeting over hunting grounds in Minnesota that led to racists slogans like “Save a Hunter, Shoot a Hmong”
  • targeted detainment and deportation of Southeast Asian immigrants and refugees

The various ways Asian Americans have been and continue to be discriminated against provides perspective about why Asian Minnesotans now fear for their physical safety and family security when our nation’s leaders irresponsibly label a disease to a whole community.

COVID-19 is an aggressive virus that does not discriminate against race, ethnicity, color, class, gender, sexuality, ability, and citizenship status. Anyone can fall ill or carry the virus. It will require every person to rise to the occasion in order to flatten the curve to prevent catastrophic outcomes. Though we applaud some local and state leaders who have condemned racist acts against AAPIs, we urge communities and leaders to be vigilant in their commitment to not only condemn but to respond to racism against AAPIs at this time. We also ask that everyone publicly and proudly support local Asian-owned businesses and organizations.

We acknowledge that our Native/Indigenous, Black, African, Latinx, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Jain, Buddhist, refugee, immigrant, undocumented, and LGBTQ+ communities are among those who have had similar experiences with discrimination and racism, and we stand in solidarity and denounce hate speech, discrimination, and violence against these communities as well.

ACLU-Minnesota

African Career Education and Resources Inc.

Alliance for Metropolitan Stability

APALA Minnesota

Art of Food in Frogtown and Rondo Coalition

Asian American Organizing Project (AAOP)

Asian American Student Union of Minnesota (ASU)

Asian Media Access

Bhutanese Community Organization of Minnesota

Black Immigrant Collective

CAPI USA

Chaska Education Association, Education MN local

Children's Defense Fund

Coalition of Asian American Leaders (CAAL)

Climate Generation / YEA! MN

CTUL

Education Minnesota

Filipinx for Immigrant rights & Racial justice MN (FIRM)

Gender Justice

Girl Scouts of Minnesota & Wisconsin River Valleys

Jewish Community Action (JCA)

JustUs Health

HandsOn Twin Cities / Ascend NAAMBA

Hmong 18 Clan Council

Hmong American Farmers Association (HAFA)

Hmong American Census Network

Hmong American Partnership (HAP)

Hmong Museum

Hmong Women Achieving Together (HWAT)

Hunger Solutions Minnesota

India Association of Minnesota (IAM)

Indigenous Roots

ISAIAH/Faith in Minnesota

Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

Jefferson Community School

Karen Organization of Minnesota (KOM)

Lao Assistance Center of Minnesota (LACM)

LOCAL 56

MFT 59 ESP

Minneapolis Public Schools

Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation

Minnesota Asian Pacific American Bar Association (MAPABA)

Minnesota Nurses Association

Minnesota Voice

MN Climate Strike

National Association of Asian American Professionals Minnesota (NAAAP MN)

Navigate MN/Unidos

OFA-MN

Philippine Study Group of Minnesota (PSGM)

Pollen Midwest

Process for Peace

Reconciliation Lunch Group

Regional Tibetan Youth Congress - Minnesota (RTYC - MN)

Release MN8

Reviving the Islamic Sisterhood for Empowerment (RISE)

Siengkane Lao MN (SKLM)

SEIU API Caucus

SEWA-AIFW

St Paul Public Arts

St Paul Public Libraries

Standpoint

Teamsters Local 320

The SEAD Project

Theater Mu

Transforming Generations

UnRestrict Minnesota

Urban Farm & Garden Alliance

Uplift MN

Vietnamese Social Services (VSS)

Voices for Racial Justice

Wat Promwachirayan

Women’s March MN

YEA MN


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