From our local work directing resources to immigrant families and our state work providing language access for non-English speakers, to our national work addressing anti-Asian racism, we are grateful and inspired by all those who are contributing to the movement for justice.
Please read some monthly highlights below to learn more.
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Stop AAPI Hate Issues New Hate Incident Report
The rise of anti-Asian racism has continued into the spring, according to Stop AAPI Hate’s latest report, which documents 6,604 hate incidents in the thirteen-month period between March 20, 2020 to March 31, 2021.
The data showed a significant increase of incident reports involving physical assault in 2021 (16.7% in comparison to 10.2% in 2020) as well as incidents taking place in public streets (35.4%, in comparison to 26% in 2020) and schools (9.7%, in comparison to 8% in 2020).
“To combat structural racism, we need to deploy a more holistic approach,” said CAA’s Cynthia Choi in a May 6 press statement, calling for community investments in public safety measures and support services for victims and survivors of hate.
CAA Hosts Celebration for Immigrant Families
For over half a century now, CAA has committed itself to uplifting immigrant communities in San Francisco. On Thursday, April 22, we joined our coalition partners at the San Francisco Immigrant Legal and Education Network (SFILEN) in observance of Immigrant Family Week.
As part of the weekly program, our immigrant rights team coordinated with the San Francisco Rapid Response Network (SFRRN) and the San Francisco Immigrant Legal Defense Collaborative (SFILDC) to host a public forum to encourage open and honest conversation between local immigrants and elected officials.
Dozens of families, and several members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, joined the festivities.
Dozens of families, and several members of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, joined the virtual festivities which included a musical performance and prize raffle, available in multiple languages.
CAA Advocates for Public Safety Solutions
Stop AAPI Hate leadership has forged ahead with our advocacy for civil rights protections and local investments, attending roundtable discussions with state and federal lawmakers and giving keynote presentations to organizations nationwide. Most recently, we joined forces with local groups to direct resources to the Sikh community, which is still grappling with the loss of the four Sikh Americans who were murdered in an April 15 mass shooting in Indianapolis. A testament to the millions of people who have turned out in support of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, AAPI organizations like Stop AAPI Hate are being recognized by organizations like Goldhouse, Time Out, and the Webby Awards for our role in supporting the growing movement against racism and xenophobia in the United States.
CAA Issues New Episode, Chinese Audio Series
The third episode of CAA’s Chinese-language audio workshop series was published to SoundCloud in mid-April.
The series, which premiered at the beginning of the year, is hosted by CAA Immigrant Rights Program Manager Jose Ng and Civil Engagement Program Manager Crystal Van, and is devoted to educating and Chinese communities throughout the San Francisco Bay Area about new developments in coronavirus response, public safety, and other information that is difficult to access for non-English speakers.
Last month, the co-hosts conversed with special guests Eddy Zheng of the New Breath Foundation and Sarah Wan of the Community Youth Center about the rise of racially-motivated hate incidents in Asian communities and the numerous safety initiatives being considered by San Francisco lawmakers.
CAA in the News
In an interview with the San Francisco Public Press, Co-Executive Director Cynthia Choi called for long-term community investments, including increased resources for victims and survivors of hate.
The virtual fundraiser Rock Against Hate — co-organized by Asian American Movies (AAM), AsAmNews, and the Slants Foundation — was held in protest of the rising tide of anti-Asian and Pacific Islander hate. The event attracted 1,300 viewers and featured performances from Lea Salonga, Bee Vang, the Slants, and more.
Stop AAPI Hate hosted its first virtual roundtable, A Path Forward: A Virtual Roundtable with Stop AAPI Hate. Featuring a moderated interview with coalition leadership, the event saw the premiere of the coalition’s new public service announcement as well as a resource kit for students, educators, and concerned citizens.
