Kids Forward is saddened and outraged by the violence against Asian and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across our nation. The devastating shooting of eight people in Atlanta, six of them Asian women, is unacceptable. It must also not escape our concern that ICE deported 33 Vietnamese American members on Monday. We join with many others in grief and solidarity in these times of injustice.

The public conversation about these acts of hate, gun violence, state violence, misogyny, and domestic white terrorism continue to be problematic to tease out. Yet, the impact on the victims, their immediate families and the AAPI community are clear. Hate crimes and violence against Asian Americans have intensified during the pandemic. Further, Asian Americans have historically been the target of xenophobia, fear-mongering, and state violence.

Kids Forward strives to advocate for all Wisconsinites. Wisconsin is home to nearly 200,000 AAPI populations; more than 25% of them are Hmong. We stand with AAPI communities and organizational partners across the state in condemning these injustices whether at the hands of white supremacist domestic terrorism or our federal government. We support those working to advocate for and protect AAPI communities.

Below are organizations that we know work closely with Wisconsin’s AAPI communities. Supporting them is a step forward to help protect our communities, particularly Asian American communities in these difficult times.

• AAPI Coalition of Wisconsin, Milwaukee
• Black & Brown Womyn Power Coalition, Inc, Eau Claire
• CAP Services, Stevens Point
• Cia Siab, Inc, La Crosse
• Freedom Inc, Madison
• Hmong American Center, Inc, Wausau
• Hmong American Partnership, Appleton
• Hmong American Women’s Association, Milwaukee
• The Hmong Institute, Madison
• Wisconsin Hmong Association Inc, Madison