APAPA Remembers Atlanta Shooting Victims on One Year Anniversary at the Solidarity Vigil and Asian Justice Rally
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CONTACT: Henry Chang (916) 402-6215
SACRAMENTO – The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) and members of the NAACP joined the Sacramento region to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the Atlanta shooting spree. On March 16, 2021, a gunman visited three Atlanta-are spas and claimed the lives of eight people, including six of those individuals were women of Asian descent.
Speakers from members of the California State Legislature to community organizers united at the California State Capitol to attend the special memorial tribute organized by the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association (APICA). The shooting spree has once galvanized the Asian American community over the past two years as communities across the United States and including here in California experienced a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes.
“A year ago, on March 16, 2021, these women started their routine like any other day – woke, up, got dressed, made breakfast, drove to work, unknowingly, it would be the last day they hug or see their loved ones. We remember those innocent victims who senselessly loss their lives. As a member of the NAACP, we have proudly united with our APAPA friends and the Asian American community to fight hate crimes, including supporting the Unity Against Hate rallies last May. We continue to stand with you and all communities of color,” said Betty Williams, President of the Sacramento chapter of NAACP.
“Our Asian American community has experienced enormous angst over the past two years and a memorial tribute commemorates the lives loss, but also shows the resiliency of our community. As an APAPA member, I proudly stand next to so many of our community leaders, including our longtime partner, the NAACP. In June, APAPA will honor the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chen who was brutally beaten to death in a racially-motivated hate crime at the State Capitol. Please join us as we commemorate his death which was a critical turning point for Asian American civil rights engagement,” said Andrew T. Kim, APAPA Nationwide Internship Chair.
Here are ways you can help fight injustice against Asian Americans and providing life-saving resources to the community, including:
Asian American Advancing Justice (AAAJ) - Donations will help "ensure that low-income, immigrant and underserved Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have access to free legal services and the most effective civil rights advocacy possible."
The Asian American Advocacy Fund (AAF) - With a mission to "advocate for the civil and human rights" of those in the AAPI community, the group has different donation funds aimed at tackling specific issues. AAF also offers volunteer and civil engagement opportunities to drive positive change.
The Center for Pan Asian Community Services (CPACS) - Donations to CPACS help the organization provide "comprehensive health and social services, capacity building, and advocacy" to immigrants, refugees and the underprivileged, especially Asian women, children, and families with low incomes.
Stop AAPI Hate - A non-profit organization for people to report and track anti-Asian hate incidents. Donations go toward the group's continuous effort to "track and respond to the surge in racism and xenophobia."
The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA) is a national nonprofit organization with 53+ chapters across the country. APAPA is dedicated to its mission to advance the API communities through increased leadership and civic engagement. Learn more by clicking on www.apapa.org.
