We are outraged and deeply saddened by the white supremacist attacks that took place in the Atlanta area last week. We grieve the eight people whose lives were taken, six of whom were Asian women. Their names are: Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Ae Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng. We offer our sincerest condolences to their loved ones and every community impacted by this heinous act.

We know that this attack is not an isolated incident. Over the last year, there has been a 150% increase in hate crimes against people of Asian descent in America. In addition, our region is not exempt from the national increase of hate crimes against Asian people.

These crimes have been rooted in racism, xenophobia, white supremacy, and misinformation regarding the inception of COVID-19, but they are not new. Since people of Asian descent have been in the United States, they have been subjected to anti-Asian violence stemming from systemic racism. We must understand and dismantle that legacy to move toward justice. By acknowledging these truths, we can ally to inform, educate, and protect communities.

Tuesday’s incident is a serious reminder that we have to do more, and that we all must speak up every day to resist the racism and violence that enabled this tragedy. Plymouth stands with our Asian staff, residents, supporters, and neighbors. Now and always, we are committed to the work of anti-racism at Plymouth and beyond. We affirm the dignity and worth of all people and their right to live free of violence and oppression.

We encourage all of our supporters to learn more about the history and contributions people descended from the many cultures and countries of Asia have made to America.

Two organizations with which Plymouth has partnered around housing for residents of the Chinatown-International District and Little Saigon are Asian Counseling and Referral Service and Friends of Little Saigon. We encourage you to support them and other regional organizations that are in turn working to support and protect our local Asian communities.

If you witness or are a victim of a hateful act, the Washington State Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs has  information on how to report it and where to find support.