NIOT Novato: Stand With Asian (AAPI) Neighbors

NOVATO, CA: NIOT Novato stands with our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in grief and in solidarity against racist violence and the everyday attacks that are occurring in our country and communities. Of the eight people murdered in Georgia on Tuesday, six were Asian women and their names are now among the more than 3,800 people that have been attacked since the pandemic began as reported by Stop AAPI Hate. That’s nearly a 2,000 percent increase in incidents that include shunning, slurs, and physical assaults.

While the numbers are jolting, the incidents are heartbreaking and sickening as news reports and videos show our AAPI community attacked for a baseless stigma linking to Covid-19. With 3 out of 4 Asian Americans nationwide fearful over experiencing hate crimes, harassment, and discrimination, the threat of hate to the security of our communities is clear.

NIOT Novato stands firmly against all racism and hate speech and is seeking ways to work with everyone to make all members of the community feel safe, respected, and included. These were the founding principles when Novato civic and community leaders came together to form NIOT Novato in 2018. And building safe and inclusive communities starts with all of us.

A Call to Action: Unleash the Creative Force of Our Community
NIOT Novato is calling upon our entire community to stand with our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors by using the creative force of our community, our students, our schools, and our businesses to vocalize our support by standing up and speaking out against hate. Your ideas and actions can make a real difference.

Report Incidents So We Can Create a Visible Response Together
We are asking for anyone who witnesses anti-Asian racism, to file a report. Let’s make the problem visible so we can visibly and concretely respond. The Novato Police Department has an online hate incident reporting form, and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office has a Hate Crime Hotline, 415-473-2585. For anyone not comfortable with going to the police, you can make a report at Stop AAPI Hate or contact NIOT Novato at niotnovato@gmail.com.

Next Thursday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m., the community is invited to the second in a series of virtual presentations organized by NIOT Novato regarding: systemic racism. A More Just Novato for Racial Equity will again feature our diverse young adult panel. We hope many of you will join us. To register, please visit http:bit.ly/NIOTWebinar.

We are grateful to the Novato civic institutions and community organizations that immediately have begun their outreach efforts to our AAPI community. The Novato Police Department has engaged with Asian-American houses of worship in our community to offer their support. And the Novato Unified School District, in addition to actively participating in the virtual presentation series, recently adopted an Anti-Racist Resolution to publicly acknowledge that they will engage in behaviors, policies, and practices to combat systemic racism.

Make Our Values of Inclusion and Support Visible
Right now you can start by checking in and asking our friends and neighbors who are Asian if they need support and what you can do to help. You can also display your support by hanging a poster or banner you make or print that is against Asian hate and include the hashtag, #StopAAPIHate. For examples, visit: @Iamnotavirus. Other ideas include painting a river rock with messages of love and support, and leaving them in parks and around the neighborhood. Or you can host a virtual poetry slam or a unity (and physically-distanced) walk or rally. Learn more about action steps at NIOT.org.

Please share your actions with us on Facebook or email us at niotnovato@gmail.com. Let us add our voices to uplift, support, and speak up for all people targeted by hate.

We can stop hate. Together.

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NIOT Novato is a community movement working in collaboration with the City of Novato, Novato Unified School District, North Marin Community Services, Novato Police Department and the Marin County District Attorney’s Office to stop bullying, bias, hate, inequity, and racism; and to build a safe, welcoming, respectful and inclusive community for all.

For ways to support the Asian American community, please visit:
Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Atlanta
Compassion in Oakland
Feed + Fuel Chinatown 2.0
Stop AAPI Hate
Stand Against Hatred
Oakland Chinatown Coalition (Facebook page)
Asian Pacific Environmental Network
Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council
Chinese Progressive Association
East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation

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