AFGJ endorses the ANSWER coalition’s National Day of Action in solidarity with the Asian American community in light of the racist and misogynist massacre that took place in Atlanta on March 16, when six Asian women were shot to death by an armed white man. A clear assault on human rights, the massacre occurred against the backdrop of a spike in Sinophobia and anti-Asian hate crimes in the U.S. since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic. 

As ANSWER describes, “The opportunistic scapegoating of China during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the intensity by which China is deemed the enemy and adversary of the United States, has driven a widespread Sinophobic sentiment nationally.” To date, there have been at least 3,800 self-reported hate crimes against Asian Americans in the U.S. Last week’s events point to a long and violent history of U.S. hostility towards China and Anti-Asian racism in the U.S. 

Call it what it is, a hate crime! Join us in defending the Asian American community by participating in the ANSWER coalition’s National Day of Action this Saturday, March 27.