POV Statement on Anti-Asian Racist Attacks

In our fifty years of history, we have always stood with survivors of violence. Today and everyday, we remain committed in solidarity. Peace Over Violence denounces the anti-Asian violence happening in our communities. Over the last year, our country has seen Anti-Asian hate escalate to horrific levels. In the last year, Stop AAPI Hate has recorded nearly 3,800 reports of incidents against Asian Americans nationwide. As an Anti-racist organization we stand in solidarity with the Asian community and remain committed to dismantling White Supremacy and the systems that uphold it. 

We ask you to join us in showing up and uplifting the stories and concerns of the Asian community. We all have a role and can be active bystanders. Our partners at Hollaback and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) have opened up their training: Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Anti-Xenophobic Harassment. Click here for more info. 

We continue to work together building a world without violence; we protect each other. 

Women's History Month: Celebrating Black Women in POV's History

In honor of our 50th anniversary year, Women’s History Month, and Black History Month (worthy of celebrating every month), we want to acknowledge some of the many Black women who have helped shape POV’s values, programming, service delivery, policies and growth over the years. These women have been leaders at or with POV, as staff members, volunteers on our Boards, community partners, advisors and trainers. They have positively and significantly influenced POV and helped us grow to become the agency we are today. We are grateful to them and we honor their support, longevity, and contributions to Peace Over Violence.
 

We have two themes for our fiftieth anniversary year: Where are they now? Acknowledging all of the people who have contributed to POV. And Where do we go from here? After 50 years of making progress, there is still so much to be done.

Denim Day 2021

Earlier this year, we completed our move to our new Metro Headquarters. Our new space is not just a physical space, it is a brave space. What is a brave space? How do you practice brave space? 

A brave space is a practice where we come together to provide a supportive environment that allows for honest connection, healing and sharing. The goal of brave space is to create inclusive environments that can achieve transformation and social justice.

• Every time someone initially connects with POV, they are being brave.
• Every time someone takes a self defense class, they are being brave.
• Every time a survivor comes back to a support group, they are being brave.
• When people are really willing to listen to others, they are being brave.
• POV staff is being brave showing up every day throughout this pandemic, working at the best of their ability under extraordinary circumstances.
• Showing up, extending yourself, willing to be healed, willing to stand up for social justice… these are all acts of bravery.

Be a part of our Brave Space community: while we have not yet returned back to our office, we are continuing to create this brave space and are looking for support on this journey. There are still naming opportunities available and other support options, like putting your name on our physical or digital walls! You can secure your commitment today and make payments over time.

POV Reads

James Rainey 

Women’s History Month arrives one year into the pandemic — at a moment when female workforce participation has dipped to 57 percent, the lowest it has been in more than three decades. To mark the occasion, The Washington Post has gathered stories of women who have faced challenges and triumphed.
 

Melena Ryzik and Katie Benner 

The Congresswoman Cori Bush and the musician FKA twigs describe how manipulative, isolating conduct known as “coercive control” helped trap them in abusive relationships. Lawmakers are starting to listen.

Judith Lewis Herman 

Volunteer Highlight: Siyeon Park
 

My name is Siyeon “Lani” Park and I’ve been a Volunteer Counselor Advocate on the 24-Hour Crisis Hotline & Emergency Response Team for approximately 11 months. I decided to volunteer because I believe in the true power of genuine human-to-human interaction through which damaged relationships can be repaired, and a sense of safety and trust can be restored. Through my interaction with survivors of trauma, I have learned that many of the survivors are socially alienated due to complex reasons resulting from their battered history, and therefore desperately desire the mundane and ordinary interactions and conversations other people easily share in their everyday lives. I have learned that they long for a genuine interaction where they can give love and be loved without feelings of fear. Therefore, as an advocate, I will continue to actively tune into the stories they choose to share, and will act as a guide to the resources they can utilize on their journey to recovery.

In the News
 

Policy Update: The Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) is up for reauthorization. Urge Congress to pass VAWA now!

Support H.R. 1620, the bipartisan Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act. Take action today! The house votes on this today, March 17.  


Policy Update: Public Charge Rule

The public charge rule makes certain immigration who are primarily dependent on government benefits ineligible to receive a green card. Before the 2019 public charge rule implemented during the Trump administrations, only those intending immigrants who were primarily dependent on cash benefits were affected. The new rule widened the scope of benefits that would affect an immigrant’s eligibility to include things like food stamps, housing assistance, and medical insurance. The 2019 public charge rule was widely challenged in several districts across the United States and was still being litigated in the Supreme Court.

Historically, the public charge rule has not been applicable to humanitarian applications such as the U Visa, T Visa, and VAWA. The 2019 public rule charge also carved out an exception to the rule for humanitarian applications.

On Tuesday, March 9, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, announced that the government will no longer defend the August 2019 public charge rule. In a statement released, Secretary Mayorkas said: “The 2019 public charge rule was not in keeping with our nation’s values. It penalized those who access health benefits and other government services available to them.”

The Department of Justice dismissed its pending appeals in the Supreme Court and other courts. This means the policy that was in effect before the Trump-era public charge rule was proposed is now in effect. Under those regulations, only those primarily dependent on cash benefits would be affected. The Department of Homeland Security will continue to review current policies pursuant to President Biden’s executive order.

This action ends a policy enacted as a scare tactic designed to keep families and individuals in need from seeking support through essential programs, such as food stamps, housing assistance, or Medicaid; all made more critical during an economic recession and global pandemic.

Upcoming Events 

• April 28 - Denim Day