NCAPA Stands in Solidarity with the Movement for Black Lives

Black Lives Matter.

NCAPA continues to be in solidarity with the movement for Black lives. We demand an end to police violence and call for more training, oversight, and accountability of law enforcement. We also denounce any rhetoric that disparages or minimizes the importance of this peaceful movement, which stands for dignity, justice and respect.

Black Lives Matter.

NCAPA understands that solidarity is not enough. We know that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders must address anti-blackness in our families and in our communities. We must have conversations about race with our families and friends. We must refuse to be used as a wedge against other communities of color and must start by rejecting the “model minority” myth. NCAPA and its member organizations seek to lead by example in all of these areas.

Black Lives Matter.

NCAPA mourns with the families and communities affected by the fatal shootings of Alton Sterling in Baton Rouge, Philando Castile in Minneapolis, and the 125 other Black people shot and killed by police so far this year. We are outraged that police brutality disproportionately affects Black communities—Black people are 2.5 times as likely as white people to be shot and killed by police officers. We are deeply troubled that there have been more fatal shootings by police so far this year compared to last year--especially with respect to Black women (10 killed in all of 2015, compared to 8 already this year).

NCAPA also extends our heartfelt condolences to the Dallas community and the families of Sgt. Michael Smith, Senior Cpl. Lorne Ahrens, and Officers Michael Krol, Brent Thompson and Patrick Zamarripa, especially as these officers were killed protecting our fundamental right to engage in non-violent protest.

NCAPA believes that the relationship between communities and law enforcement must be strengthened and that it must be rebuilt on the fundamental understanding that Black lives matter--and that they should matter to all people.

Statements from NCAPA members:

• Asian Americans Advancing Justice (including AAJC)

• Asian American Psychological Association (AAPA - open letter)

• Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance (APALA)

• Japanese American Citizens League (JACL)

• National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF)

• Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC)

Recording of National #AAPICall4Solidarity, led by APALA and featuring speakers Cristeta Boarini of Twin Cities Daily Planet and APIs for Black Lives-MN; Nicky Cao of VAYLA New Orleans; and Cathy Dang of CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities: http://bit.ly/AAPICall4Solidarity-Recording 

More resources compiled by APALA:

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

• Baton Rouge Legal Defense Fund: https://www.crowdrise.com/baton-rouge-bail-fund

• #AltonSterlingFamily Scholarship: https://www.gofundme.com/2d3eze7g

• Support for #NorthBatonRougeMatters: https://squareup.com/store/byp100-new-orleans

• Information re: “Blue Lives Matter” Bill

  • http://www.colorlines.com/articles/louisiana-governor-expected-sign-blue-lives-matter-bill

  • http://www.democracynow.org/2016/5/27/headlines/louisiana_passes_blue_lives_matter_law

  • https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2016/05/26/louisianas-blue-lives-matter-bill-just-became-law/?utm_term=.b40192a16909

Falcon Heights, Minnesota

• Justice for Philando Castile: https://www.gofundme.com/2d5wd5g

• Black Lives Matter - MPLS: http://www.payit2.com/collect-page/56349

• Sign onto APIs4BlackLives - MN Solidarity Statement: bit.ly/SignOnJustice4Philando

Brooklyn, New York

• Akaila’s 4th Birthday Dream: bit.ly/akaila4

• Support Black Lives Matter - NYC: http://blacklivesmatternyc.com/donate/

National Call to Action

• Take The Movement for Black Lives Pledge: http://action.movementforblacklives.org/

• Defund Police Departments that Don't Value Black Lives: http://act.colorofchange.org/sign/tell-obama-stop-funding-cops-kill-black-people/?sp_ref=213329650.176.172740.f.545600.2&source=fb_sp

• Freedom Now: Movement for Black Lives National Call: http://bit.ly/mblfree616

Additional Resources for non-Black Asians on Anti-Blackness: http://bit.ly/29wzMjJ.

Asian Americans Crowdsource Open Letter to Families: 'Black Lives Matter To Us, Too' (via NBC Asian America)

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Based in Washington, D.C., the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans is a coalition of 35 national Asian Pacific American organizations that serves to represent the interests of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) 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.