National Council of Asian Pacific Americans Statement on Hate Crimes in Pittsburgh and Kentucky

Washington, DC—The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, issued the following statement on the mass shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh and a Kroger store in Kentucky:

“The National Council of Asian Pacific Americans extends our deepest condolences to the families who have suffered at the Tree of Life Synagogue, and to the families of Maurice Stallard and Vickie Jones. We stand with the Jewish community, other faith communities, and communities of color against bigoted violence that serves as painful reminder that in the eyes of some, we are not welcome here. Time and time again, these vile acts of violence are motivated by race, ethnicity, or faith. No one should have to fear for their lives in their houses of worship or at their neighborhood grocery stores.

In the midst of all the calls for civility in politics, we challenge our country’s leaders to finally put action behind their words. Has our collective conscience been so numbed to the seemingly endless incidents of gun violence that we are unwilling to act? Has hate truly established itself as an acceptable new normal? We challenge the view that sensible gun laws mean all-or-nothing; and we reject the notion that racism and bigotry should have any place in our society.”