FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: emma@ncapaonline.org
March 17th, 2021
Washington, DC— National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA) National Director, Gregg Orton issued the following statement following the mass shootings in Atlanta, Georgia where it was reported that at least 8 people were murdered; and 6 of the victims were of Asian descent.
“On behalf of the entire coalition and our member organizations, our hearts go out to our community members in Atlanta.
“Given the appearance that these murders were racially-motivated, there are few words that can describe the grief many of us feel at this moment—grief that is matched only by the outrage of seeing the consequences of weaponized xenophobia. Make no mistake: this is as much a tragic culmination, as it is a foreseeable outcome of hate and misogyny left unchecked.
“Since the pandemic began, we have warned that the threats to our community were real. Today, there should be no question.”
“Despite our anger, we call on everyone to focus on community-focused responses. There are 8 victims, families and an entire community that are grappling with devastating loss. We must not respond to violence with violence. This pandemic has already cost too many lives; we must not allow our response to it cost even more.”
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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 37 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities and to provide a national voice for our communities’ concerns. Our communities are the fastest growing racial/ethnic group in the United States, currently making up approximately six percent of the population.