MA House Passes Rep. Nguyen's AAPI Solidarity Resolution

Press release from state Rep. Tram Nguyen's office:

April 5, 2021 – BOSTON – In the wake of the terrible shootings in Atlanta, Georgia on March 16, 2021, the Massachusetts House of Representatives adopted a Resolution Supporting Asian and Asian-American Communities in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on Monday, April 5, 2021. The tragic Atlanta mass shooting, which killed eight victims, including six women of Asian descent, is one of many instances of anti-Asian violence, hate, and discrimination, which has sharply risen 150% nationally as a result of anti-Asian rhetoric related to COVID-19.

The bi-partisan House Asian Caucus (Representatives Tram Nguyen, Maria Robinson, Vanna Howard, Erika Uyterhoeven, Tackey Chan, Donald Wong, Rady Mom, and Paul Schmid) drafted the House Resolution, which firmly and resolutely states that anti-Asian rhetoric, racism, discrimination, scapegoating, and xenophobia must stop. The Resolution was signed by 120 House members who stand united in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and condemn and denounce all forms of anti-Asian bigotry and violence.

“This Resolution is a reaffirming message to our AAPI communities that you are seen, loved, and supported. We will not be silent, we will remain steadfast in opposing anti-Asian sentiments nationally and within our great Commonwealth, and we will continue to work to make our communities more inclusive and safer for everyone,” stated lead sponsor Rep. Tram Nguyen (D-Andover). “I want to thank Speaker Mariano, the House Asian Caucus, House Counsel, the House Clerk, and all of our colleagues who signed on to this meaningful document.”

Rep. Maria Robinson (D-Framingham) said, “We are grateful for the support of our colleagues who have joined us in solidarity in standing against racially motivated violence. We know that when we stand together, we stand stronger and better.”

Rep. Vanna Howard (D-Lowell) stated, “I consider this strong vote in favor of the Resolution by our colleagues here to reflect the opinions of the vast majority of the people here in the Commonwealth on this issue. We can, and will, no longer be silent in the face of anti-Asian language, hate or violence. Instead, now we all will speak out loud, and always take appropriate action, whenever it appears, and in all of its forms. Only then will we be able to achieve and realize the true meaning of equality for all people, regardless of race or ethnicity, which is of course our creed. Many thanks to my colleagues and Speaker Mariano for this continued push towards our goal.”

"There is no place for bigotry and discrimination in Massachusetts. The rise in attacks on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders over the past 16 months, made especially stark by the horrific Atlanta murders, is not only deeply disturbing, but unacceptable. I want to thank my colleagues in the House of Representatives for taking a stand against hate and loudly supporting our AAPI communities," said Rep. Tackey Chan (D-Quincy).

This press release was produced by Rep. Tram Nguyen's office. The views expressed are the author's own.

An earlier version of this story misspelled Rep. Nguyen's name. It has been corrected.