Hello,
This Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, I am challenging those of us who are not members of the AAPI community to reckon with our state and our country's history of anti-AAPI legislation and commit to stopping the rise of anti-AAPI violence.
AAPI racism didn't start with the COVID-19 pandemic. From racist so-called "Alien Land Laws" which prohibited land ownership, to the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, Washington state has a history of anti-AAPI policies and hatred that we need to remedy.
Hate has no home in Washington state or anywhere else in this country, and it's on all of us to denounce hate and discrimination against members of the AAPI community. I was proud to co-sponsor Rep. Grace Meng's resolution to condemn the rise in anti-Asian sentiment, as well as her COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to do more to prevent and conduct oversight of hate crimes related to COVID-19.
This AAPI Heritage Month, will you join me in committing to speaking out against anti-AAPI violence? Together we can build a democracy that is equitable and just for all.
As the pandemic finally draws to a close, we cannot expect these hateful acts to just stop. We need to commit to standing up and fighting back against anti-AAPI hate every day.
It's going to take all of us to make a difference, so I hope you'll join in this fight. Will you commit to speaking out against anti-AAPI rhetoric and violence? Add your name today.
It's an honor to represent you,
Derek
Paid for by People for Derek Kilmer
PO Box 1381
Tacoma WA 98402 United States
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