San Francisco, CA —

Earthjustice President Abigail Dillen released this statement today in reference to the increase in anti-Asian violence and last night’s killings:

“Our hearts go out to the families who have lost loved ones and to everyone who is feeling heartbroken, afraid, and outraged in the wake of these devastating shootings.

“Earthjustice condemns the rising level of racist violence and hate attacks targeting Asian Americans throughout the nation.

“Last night’s killing of six Asian women in the Atlanta area is the most recent manifestation of racism and white supremacy that’s been aimed at Asian Americans with increasing frequency. The group Stop AAPI Hate, a coalition formed to address anti-Asian discrimination during the pandemic, has documented nearly 4,000 racially motivated attacks over the last year.

“Anti-Asian racism has a long history in the United States, including immigration policies that excluded the Chinese, the internment of Japanese Americans, the targeting of South Asians in the wake of the 9/11 attacks, and discriminatory policies that limited educational and employment opportunities.

“In the past year, former president Trump exacerbated anti-Asian bias with his own racist statements, repeatedly linking the COVID-19 virus to Asian people. Such racism from the highest level of government is abhorrent and inexcusable. President Biden’s recent denunciation of anti-Asian attacks in the U.S. is a step in the right direction.

“Earthjustice calls on leaders at all levels of government to do more to eradicate systemic racism and white supremacy.”