Hello John,

The March 16th shootings at Asian-owned businesses in Atlanta was the culmination of a year of increased hate crimes and incidents towards AAPIs across the country. The rhetoric of the previous administration, looking to deflect blame for their disastrous pandemic response, endangered people of Asian descent.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, I have been speaking out against the use of hateful language and the effects it has had on our AAPI communities. In the last few weeks, that conversation has been amplified as the murders in Atlanta have shown the world how violence against AAPIs has evolved.

I want to share with you the conversations I've been having in the media recently. I've included links to interviews, panels and coverage of our rally on Friday for our Day of Action and Healing. I also want to share this useful piece from the LA Times on how to be an ally if you witness an incident.

I believe that by shining a spotlight on these issues, we can bring about legislative and social changes to prevent this from ever happening again.

In friendship,

Judy Chu

PS- Stay informed on all my efforts to make lasting improvements in the lives of ALL our communities! Follow me on Twitter @JudyChuCampaign and on Facebook.

Here are just a few of my recent press links:

Meet the Press 'Hate crime system in the United States is quite flawed'

Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, talks to Chuck Todd about the causes of the mass shooting at a series of Atlanta-area spas.

Rep. Judy Chu ‘concerned’ Atlanta spa suspect may not be charged with hate crime

The California Democrat called on the Justice Department to provide resources and fully investigate the fatal shootings.

Washington Post Live: Race in America: Combating Anti-Asian Racism with Rep. Judy Chu & Rep. Mark Takano

Washington Post opinions writer Jonathan Capehart spoke with Rep. Judy Chu (D-Calif.), chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), the group’s second vice-chair, about the growing fears and calls for action.

USA Today - Democrats work behind the scenes — and in public eye — to push against anti-Asian hate

Rep. Judy Chu, D-Calif., told USA TODAY Democrats in the House are planning to reintroduce next week the "No Hate Act" — legislation that aims to enact a more informed approach to hate crime prevention.

People - 'We Must Do Better': Heartbroken but Determined Asian Lawmakers on What Comes Next After Atlanta Shootings

Rep. Judy Chu says that her initial reaction to Trump's use of derogatory and racist anti-Asian phrases was one of pain.

"I felt like it was a stab wound each time he said it," Chu tells PEOPLE. "I felt that he was attacking the entire community, but I felt it personally."

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