PSR-LA Statement on Violence Against Asian American Pacific Islander Communities

Feb 19

All of us at Physicians for Social Responsibility – Los Angeles are appalled by the recent upsurge in violence against Asian American Pacific Islander communities. Systemic racism and individual acts of racist violence pose a grave threat to health and the increase in violence directed at Asian American Pacific Islanders is another sign of a deeply unhealthy society. We are particularly concerned that the recent increase in violence is brought on in reaction to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically we condemn the racist rhetoric by some media outlets that is fueling this rise in hate incidents. PSR-LA remains committed to dismantling the systemic racism that perpetuates health and economic disparity, and we stand in solidarity with Asian American Pacific Islanders in California and across the country who are being targeted by racially motivated violence.

Racially motivated crimes against Asian American Pacific Islanders are historically underreported and PSR-LA supports all efforts to organize in solidarity across racial lines to protect all of our communities from threats of violence. We cannot eliminate health threats from environmental racism if we do not first address the systemic racism that perpetuates it. Please join us in sharing resources and actively working to stop these horrific attacks on the Asian American Pacific Islander communities.

Actions You Can Take Today Include:

Report incidents to Stop AAPI Hate

Read Call to Action by Chinatown Community for Equitable Development

Donate to the Chinatown Mutual Aid via Southeast Asian Community Alliance