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** OCA Urges Proactive Measures by Schools to End Bullying due to Coronavirus
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19 February 2020

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Eiley Fong | Communications Associate
202.223.5500 | [email protected]

Washington, DC - OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates released the following statement today, in addition to a response ([link removed]) made on February 3, 2020, regarding anti-Asian and anti-Chinese sentiments and actions due to the coronavirus:

Asian Americans are increasingly being targeted ([link removed]) as public health threats, amidst knowledge that for persons outside China, the risk of exposure to coronavirus is low. Recent news in California ([link removed]) demonstrates the alarming escalation of anti-Asian bullying, with a high school student physically assaulted by his peers at school. The student was immediately sent to the hospital’s emergency room for treatment. Federal school data shows thatAAPI students already have the highest rates of classroom bullying ([link removed]) , and recent fears and misinformation around coronavirus are likely to fuel the bullying of AAPI students.

OCA is calling on school districts, superintendents, Parent Teacher Associations, school administrators and staff to take proactive measures to educate students surrounding coronavirus and reinforce or implement preventative measures against race-based bullying. Bullying and harassment, especially in a school environment, are never acceptable; these actions based on racism and false information are particularly deplorable.

“It’s crucial that schools and administrators around the country act now to prevent further bullying and harassment of AAPI students rooted in racism and misinformation about coronavirus,” said Rita Pin Ahrens, OCA National Executive Director. “Schools are responsible for the safety of all students and need to recognize these fears around coronavirus are manifesting in the classroom and must be addressed before more children are victimized and harmed. OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates stands ready to work with school leaders to address these issues.”

OCA urges individuals and families who have been bullied or harassed due to fears around coronavirus to report these incidents at aapihatecrimes.org ([link removed]) .

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national civil rights organization dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
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View this statement online here ([link removed]) .

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