Somerville Leaders Condemn Anti-Asian Violence After GA Shootings

SOMERVILLE, MA — City and school officials in Somerville released a joint statement Friday condemning a shooting rampage in Georgia that left eight people dead, six of whom were women of Asian descent.

According to authorities, a gunman opened fire at three massage parlors across the metro Atlanta area Tuesday. Cherokee County Sheriff's Capt. Jay Baker said the gunman admitted to the killings and blamed the massage parlors for fueling his sex addiction.

Read More: Metro Atlanta Massage Parlor Shootings (5 Things To Know)

Although many of the victims were of Asian descent, officials have said it's too early in the investigation to know if the shootings were "racially motivated." However, many advocates say the shootings coincide with a reported rise in anti-Asian violence since the coronavirus pandemic began.

Somerville Mayor Joseph Curtatone, City Council President Matt McLaughlin, School Committee Chair Andre Green and Superintendent Mary Skipper voiced their support for the local Asian community in a statement Friday:

This tragedy is emblematic of an unacceptable cruelty taking root in our society and serves as further evidence of the blatant racism in our country designed to oppress our neighbors, friends and community members. Hate crimes against Asians and Asian Americans in major U.S. cities rose by 150% last year, and within that number, women have been disproportionately targeted. Sadly, Asian and Asian American women in our city and region also have been the victims of this open bigotry. We recognize the growing and justifiable fear you may be experiencing in the wake of the senseless violence.

We join together to express our solidarity, both with our Asian and Asian American residents and communities and with all women and girls in Somerville. As City officials we want you to know you are seen and valued, and if you are being made to feel unsafe, you will be taken seriously and protected. We strive to make our City institutions a safe haven for all and our commitment to human rights a constant, regardless of your race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, ability, age or any other identifier. Our commitment as a sanctuary city and an anti-racist community is anchored in the knowledge that our strength as a city lies in the people who live and work here, and the richness each of us brings to our community.