CONTACT INFORMATION: Johanna Carpio
johanna@ncapaonline.org
[***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***]
RELEASE DATE:
September 11th, 2022
Washington, DC — The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) issued the following statement remembering the 21st Anniversary of September 11th and all those who have been impacted.
Today, NCAPA remembers the lives of all victims of the tragic events of 9/11. Our hearts go out to the communities who are mourning and commemorating their lost loved ones. We also extend our support towards members of the Muslim, Arab, and South Asian (MASA) communities who have been detrimentally impacted by the rise of Islamophobia and xenophobia that arose from the events of 9/11.
“As we recall 9/11 in our hearts and minds, we remember those who were lost and honor the heroes who responded to protect more lives. It is also crucial for us to continue to create supportive spaces for Muslim, Arab, and South Asian communities to ground their own narratives, challenge uninformed stereotypes, and better contextualize their experiences in the aftermath of that dark day,” said Gregg Orton, National Director of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA). “As we did twenty one years ago, we continue to stand with the MASA community against hate.”
Lakshmi Sridaran, Executive Director of the South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT) said:
“More than twenty years after 9/11, our communities continue to experience violence in many forms. We must focus on the root causes of this violence, including the Global War on Terror, whose surveillance and policing infrastructure has cost so many lives here and abroad. We are disappointed that instead of committing to reversing the policies of the Global War on Terror, the Biden Administration continues to reinforce the infrastructure that has always criminalized our communities in their “United We Stand” summit next week. We deserve better.”
Samira Khan, President, of the South Asian Public Health Association (SAPHA) stated:
“On the 21st anniversary of 9/11, we take time to remember and honor those who lost their lives, and those who were tragically affected by the aftermath of 9/11. Members of the South Asian, Middle Eastern, Muslim and Sikh communities have suffered immensely due to the unprecedented increase in surveillance, policing, discrimination and violence since 9/11. We stand in solidarity with, and continue to amplify the voices of the many organizations who are working tirelessly to advocate for federal and local policies and resources to protect our communities.”
Tara M. Raghavan, President of South Asian Bar Association of North America (SABA-NA) commented:
“SABA North America was formed in the aftermath of 9/11 when our communities faced rampant hate, xenophobia and Islamophobia. As we reflect on that day 21 years ago, we not only honor those who lost their lives but also continue to support the communities that faced trauma associated with the aftermath.”
Anisha Singh, Executive Director of the Sikh Coalition said:
“On this solemn anniversary, we pause to remember those we lost on 9/11–and those whose lives were forever changed by that day. We also recognize that in those initial days of shock and terror, many marginalized communities were left to grapple with the same security concerns that all Americans shared, alongside the additional urgent threat of hate and bigotry in response to how we looked, how we prayed, or where our family was from. Moreover, policies that were implemented under the guise of security in the weeks, months, and years afterwards targeted our communities–and in doing so, further divided our nation. More than 20 years on, we continue to strive for a nation where we can all truly feel safe and free.”
Jyot Singh, Policy and Research Manager of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) stated:
“The Sikh American community joins the nation in remembering all the victims of the tragic attacks on our country twenty-one years ago on September 11, 2001, and all the first responders who risked their lives to save others. We also acknowledge that the Sikh American community and other communities like ours were attacked twice on 9/11 and in the days following, first as Americans and then again by those who wished to divide our country based on religion, ethnicity, and race. We honor all victims of post-9/11 backlash, from those who lost their lives to hate, like Balbir Singh Sodhi, to those who suffered and continue to suffer from discrimination. The Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) salutes the members of our community and the many, many Americans who chose on that fateful day and every day since to place love and understanding over fear and ignorance. We will continue to work to ensure common respect for the universal values of equality, freedom, tolerance, and diversity that unite Americans of every background.”