For the second time during this pandemic, we find ourselves witnessing horrific racially-motivated violence in the United States. We are deeply saddened and outraged by the recent surge in unprovoked, violent, and fatal attacks against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The Sikh Foundation condemns all forms of racism, bigotry and xenophobia.
Hate crimes and violence against the Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities have surged since the beginning of the pandemic, though we are very aware that the sentiment has existed for many many years. The recent murders of Yong Ae Yue, Suncha Kim, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Daoyou Feng, Xiaojie Tan, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan and Paul Andre Michels, as well as the serious injury to Elcias Hernandez-Ortiz are clear evidence of the unconscionable hate, racism, and misogyny that fueled them. This violence has in part been fueled by white supremacy and rhetoric baselessly blaming people of Asian Americans and Pacific Island descent for the outbreak
and spread of COVID-19.
The continued violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders shows how far we are from protecting all the members of our society from racially inspired attacks. Our focus remains on social justice, diversity, inclusion and being proactive, solution-oriented, and intolerant of white supremacy. If you’re looking for ways to help, there are organizations you can donate to and if you’re specifically looking for a better understanding of the power of allyship, we encourage you to learn more about and potentially sign up for Bystander Intervention Training.
We call for an end to this Asian American and Pacific Islander hatred and violence now. We extend our deepest sympathies and condolences to those families and communities so deeply and tragically affected by this horrific assault.
