Statement Against Hate Crimes and Attacks on Asian and Pacific Island Americans

March 15, 2021

Women of Color Advancing Peace, Security and Conflict Transformation (WCAPS) condemns the rising hate crimes against Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, AAPI communities have been targeted by discriminatory and xenophobic rhetoric like “China Virus,” and “Wuhan Virus.” Creating stereotypes and social stigma around COVID-19 has worked to exacerbate already existing violent, hate-filled attacks against AAPI persons, as well as those perceived to be Asian Americans. It is even more shocking that many of these attacks have been on elderly AAPI individuals.

The impact of COVID-19 has been disproportionately felt by communities of color, including Asian American communities, and has provoked anti-Asian sentiments throughout the United States and abroad. In 2020, Stop AAPI Hate reported more than 2800 first-hand accounts of anti-Asian verbal and physical assaults in the United States. The negative mental health impact of these attacks, combined with COVID-19, has taken a heavy toll in the Asian American community. We, as a society, must do better to recognize these acts of hate as a manifestation of racism and discrimination.

In New York City, Asian American women have been particularly targeted. A 58-year old Asian American woman was punched in the back of the head and fell onto the New York City subway platform, while a 71-year-old woman was struck in the face and body on a moving subway car. In Queens, an Asian American woman was violently pushed into a metal newspaper stand and required 10 stitches to her forehead. These are not isolated incidents but are part of a long history of anti-Asian sentiment in this country, running counter to the values of peace and security that WCAPS practices and upholds. 

Asian-owned businesses, particularly Chinese businesses, have especially suffered due to stigmatizing and discriminatory claims that COVID-19 could be transmitted through Chinese food. Asian Americans have also filed for unemployment at disproportionately high rates. There has been a 22% decline in small businesses across the United States, while Asian businesses have declined at 26%. 

After the killing of George Floyd, WCAPS launched Organizations in Solidarity (OrgsInSolidairty) as a partnership among 250+ organizations in the United States and Europe. OrgsinSolidarity partners work to combat racist beliefs, attitudes, and acts of discrimination and integrate diversity, equity and inclusion within all levels of our organizations and as individuals in the peace and security, foreign policy, and national security fields. As we move forward, we stand with those seeking to prevent attacks on the AAPI communities, reassert the 12 commitments in the WCAPS Solidarity Statements and continue to work towards creating safe, inclusive, and healthy communities.

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To report a hate crime or attack, call 9-11 and visit stopaapihate.org/reportincident/
To access mental health services, call SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357), or 
NAMI’s Helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264) at info@nami.org