League of California Cities and Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Decry Anti-Asian Violence

Sacramento – In the wake of escalating anti-Asian incidents and attacks across the country, including the brutal killing of eight people, mostly Asian women, this week in Atlanta, Georgia, the League of California Cities condemns these horrific acts. In response, Cal Cities President Cheryl Viegas Walker, mayor, El Centro, and Cal Cities Asian Pacific Islander Caucus (API) President Sheng Thao, council president pro tem, Oakland, issued the following statement:

“The League of California Cities is deeply saddened and equally outraged at yet another despicable display of bigotry and hate in our country. Our hearts go out to the victims’ families, their communities, and all those across the country who are reeling from the onslaught of violence directed against Asians and Asian Americans during the pandemic.

“The League of California Cities stands in solidarity with our API Caucus and all our Asian brothers and sisters who have been the targets of hate, racism, and violence during a year when the pandemic has already caused so much pain and suffering. The dual pandemic of racism is more than any community should be forced to bear, and just as our communities have worked together to stop the spread of the coronavirus, we must band together to stop the spread of hate.

“This week’s murders cannot be viewed in isolation but as part of a long and dark history of anti-Asian violence that has intensified during the COVID-19 pandemic and been enflamed by racist rhetoric. Right here in California, Asian Americans have been subjected to these acts of bigotry in the past months. A 91-year-old man was shoved to the ground in Oakland, a 51-year-old teacher’s aide was beaten with his own cane in Rosemead, for months an immigrant family has been harassed in Orange County, and in another hurtful incident, a school teacher made slant-eyed gestures during a Zoom class with students in Sacramento.

“To the local, state, and national leaders who have stepped up to denounce this rising racist tide, thank you. It is only through our collective voices and actions that we will root out hate and xenophobia. We stand united in support of the voices of inclusion and firmly against the voices inciting hate.

“We encourage anyone who has either seen or been a victim of these senseless attacks to please report it to the Stop AAPI Hate Center.”