John,

May is Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — and it couldn't be more timely to celebrate and lift up the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused devastating impacts on our AAPI communities. The economic crisis has hit Asian-owned restaurants, stores, and beauty salons especially hard. Over a year into the pandemic, AAPI's still face some of the country's highest long-term unemployment rates.

And, even more disturbing: Anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by over 150% since 2020 — even as the number of overall hate crimes targeting other groups dropped. Misinformation and xenophobia have led to East Asian Americans in particular being targeted as scapegoats for the pandemic, and anti-Asian racism has left our AAPI friends and neighbors living in fear.

It's been a deeply painful time. Members of the AAPI community have expressed feelings of being overlooked in conversations around societal and systemic racism, leaving them feeling further isolated and discounted. But there is hope, and we can all help.

Across the country, allies to the AAPI community have come together to combat anti-Asian hate by lifting up AAPI stories and amplifying their voices. This includes speaking out, raising awareness, and educating ourselves and others on anti-Asian bias and discrimination — as well as honoring and recognizing the many achievements and contributions that the AAPI community has made to our country. A good place to start the work and join the fight to end AAPI hate is by visiting https://stopaapihate.org/ — a resource to report hate incidents, mobilize with other allies, and read news related to anti-Asian hate.

I pledge to remain in solidarity with the Asian American community against anti-Asian racism during Asian Pacific American Heritage Month — and every day. Will you take action and join me today? SIGN NOW and TAKE THE PLEDGE to become an ally and stand with the AAPI community >>