Human Rights Panel, Leaders Denounce Hate, Violence Against AAPI

GUILFORD, CT — The Guilford Human Rights Commission, town leaders and local legislators have signed a statement of support for Asian-American and Pacific Islander communities in the wake of increased racially-motivated violence —including the killing of six Asian-American women in Georgia last month — and verbal attacks, many on social media.

The town's human rights commission points to an increase in hate crimes perpetrated against AAPI motivated, "In some cases by the rhetoric of public and political figures."

Guilford First Selectman Matt Hoey posted a letter to Facebook signed by him, Chief of Police Warren "Butch" Hyatt, schools Superintendent Dr. Paul Freeman, Board of Education chair Kate Balestracci, Board of Finance chair Michael Ayles, state Sen. Christine Cohen, and state Reps. Sean Scanlon and Vincent Candelora, echoing the human rights' commission's statement.

Guilford Statement of Support f... by Ellyn Santiago

Here's the full statement from the Guilford Human Rights Commission:

"Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)
communities have suffered racially-motivated physical and verbal attacks incited, in some
cases, by the rhetoric of public and political figures.

In the last year alone, over 3,800 instances of discrimination against these communities were reported in the United States; the actual number of incidents may be much higher. In addition, the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino reported that hate crimes against Asian-Americans in 16 cities rose by 150 percent in 2020. These incidents ranged from violent attacks and verbal abuse to the vandalization of Asianowned businesses. Closer to home, in nearby New York City, the NYPD has reported that hate crimes motivated by anti-Asian sentiment jumped 1900 percent in 2020.

As we know, the frequency of anti-AAPI incidents has continued to rise in 2021, culminating in
the recent shooting near Atlanta that left eight people dead, six of them Asian-American
women. This tragedy serves as a horrific reminder that racism against AAPI communities is real
- and growing. Acts of hate and intolerance are unacceptable and stand in direct opposition to
our values. They must be repudiated by us all.

The Guilford Human Rights Commission stands with our AAPI neighbors, and with all people of
Asian and Pacific Islander descent wherever they are in Connecticut, the United States, and the
world. We need to continue to speak out against racism, xenophobia, intolerance, misogyny,
and racially motivated violence as a community whenever - and wherever - they occur. The
racism, hatred, and violence directed against the AAPI community are the real viruses, and we
need to confront them with the same urgency and commitment that we have with stopping the
pandemic.

We are asking you, our neighbors, to join us in condemning acts of violence, to stand up for
those targeted by hatred and ignorance, and to continue having courageous conversations that
can effect real change. The Commission is committed to advancing this cause."