CAPAC Members and House Democratic Leader Commemorate Anniversary of Atlanta Spa Shootings

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Three years ago today, a gunman sought out and entered three Asian-owned spas in Georgia, opened fire, and killed eight people, including six Asian women. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statements:

CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):

“Today, we remember and honor the lives of eight people, including six Asian women, whose lives were cut terribly short in Atlanta, Georgia, three years ago by a gunman in an act of unconscionable violence. Eight people with vibrant futures, full communities, and loving families were senselessly murdered. This tragedy was not an accident – it was a targeted attack that was a direct result of the xenophobic, anti-Asian rhetoric that had proliferated at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We cannot let another family or community be torn apart like this, and we must keep working to rebuild a sense of safety for AANHPIs and all Americans across the country. I remain proud of my colleagues in Congress and the Biden-Harris Administration who came together to enact the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act in 2022 to better track and address these incidents. But I know our work to defeat hate is far from over. To honor the memory of the victims of this tragedy, I will continue to speak out against bigotry and xenophobia until our nation is a place where everyone feels safe.”

House Democratic Leader Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08):

“Three years ago today, eight innocent people – including six Asian American women – were murdered in the Atlanta spa shootings. House Democrats remember the lives lost and we send our prayers to their families as they continue to grieve this tremendous loss. We will continue to stand in solidarity with the AANHPI community and will not rest until we eradicate xenophobia and anti-Asian hate and end the gun violence epidemic once and for all.”

Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07):

“This is a difficult anniversary for our region as we mark three years since the Atlanta spa shootings that ripped apart eight families in our community. May we remember the lives that were stolen from us and rededicate ourselves to our responsibility to act to end hate and champion solutions that will save lives.”

CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):

“Three years ago, AAPI communities were shaken to their core when a gunman murdered eight people, including six Asian American women, at three spas in Atlanta. The xenophobia and misogyny underlying this tragedy only heightened feelings of fear and exclusion in our communities. Three years later, we continue to mourn those who were senselessly murdered. They were beloved parents, partners, brothers and sisters, and friends. We honor their memory by standing up to hate and violence in all its forms.”

CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):

“On the three-year anniversary of the Atlanta Spa Shootings, we pause in a moment to remember the lives stolen from us, but also to reaffirm our commitment to building a more peaceful and just world. That means a firm recommitting to legislative solutions that end gun violence and lift up AAPI people across our country.”

CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):

“Today marks three years since eight innocent people had their lives stolen from them by a shooter targeting three Asian-owned spas in Atlanta, Georgia. I continue to grieve for the victims and their families, and remain outraged by the discrimination members of the AANHPI community face across the country. This Congress, I am glad to have reintroduced the Stop Hate Crimes Act in order to hold individuals like the Atlanta spa shooter accountable for their crimes and to keep our families, friends and communities safe from violence and bigotry. May we honor the victims of these tragic shootings by continuing our fight against hatred, intolerance and discrimination.”

CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):

“Three years ago, the Atlanta spa shootings tragically took the lives of eight people - six of whom were women of Asian descent. Three years later, the sexualization and use of gender-based violence against Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander women remains prolific. Today, we mourn the victims and families of this horrific tragedy, but for their deaths to have not been in vain we must act. We must urgently act to end hate, violence, and discrimination of any kind to ensure the safety of all our communities.”

Sen. Tammy Duckworth (IL):

“Today and always, we remember the horrific events that took place three years ago in which eight people—including six Asian American women—were senselessly killed in the Atlanta spa shootings. While President Biden signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act—which I helped introduce—into law in 2021 marked real progress, it’s clear we must do more to stop the anti-Asian hate crimes and violence that’s continuing to terrorize the AANHPI community. I’ll keep working to do everything I can to help put an end to the disease of hatred that’s spreading through our country and work toward a future where every American can live their lives free of the fear of gun violence.”

Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):

“Today, we remember the eight lives tragically lost—including six women of Asian descent—in the horrific spa shootings in Atlanta three years ago and reaffirm our commitment to creating safer communities for all. As we continue working to enact gun safety reform to prevent these senseless acts of violence, I remain committed to combatting hate and discrimination in all its forms.”

Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07):

“Three years ago today, eight individuals, including six Asian women, were killed in the Atlanta spa shootings. Before and after this incident, our country witnessed countless acts of anti-Asian hate stemming from the COVID pandemic, reminding all of us that we must continue working to end anti-Asian hate and discrimination in all forms. These acts of racism and violence are completely unacceptable and must be condemned. As we honor the lives lost to this act of hate, let us all recommit ourselves to working to stop hate-based violence and standing with our AANHPI family and friends to create safer communities where all feel welcome.”

Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17):

“Today marks the three-year anniversary of the tragic shooting at a spa in Atlanta where eight people were killed, including six Asian American women. My heart breaks for the community in Atlanta and the families who lost loved ones. We must pass meaningful gun reform and condemn anti-Asian hate.”

Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03)

“I hold the memory of the eight lives stolen in Atlanta three years ago close today and every day as we work to rid our nation of anti-Asian hate and gun violence. When I met with the families of the victims, they asked what Congress would do to keep our community safe. Passing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act of 2021 into law was crucial in the face of rising anti-Asian hate during the pandemic, but it can not be the end of our work. In memory of the eight lost three years ago and for all the AAPI communities shaken and impacted by acts of horrific, hateful violence, I am proud to stand up in Congress against divisive laws, bigoted rhetoric, and xenophobia, and for unity and empowerment of AAPI voices across the nation.”

Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12)

"Eight victims, six of whom were Asian women, lost their lives in the horrifying Atlanta Spa killings three years ago. We grieve and honor the victims of this horrific assault, as well as the Asian American communities who have had to put up with the upsurge in anti-Asian prejudice. The racist and misogynistic motivations behind this terrible act of violence, where the murderer drove in search of spas where he could harm Asian women, cannot be ignored. The lives lost due to gun violence and hate crimes against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders must never be forgotten. I stand with the AANHPI community in Atlanta, in the East Bay, and across the country on this day of remembrance."

Rep. Bobby Scott (VA-03):

“Today we remember the victims of the shootings in Georgia. Three years ago, eight innocent people were shot. Seven were women, six were women of Asian descent and these three shootings took place at Asian-owned businesses. This tragedy is evidence of the forces of xenophobia and hate that have been allowed to grow in our country. I stand with my CAPAC colleagues to honor the victims as we recommit ourselves to combatting prejudice and hate.”

Rep. Nannette Barragán (CA-44):

“Today we solemnly recognize the third anniversary of the Atlanta Spa Shootings, when anti-Asian hate led to the murder of eight people, including six Asian women. Our words matter, and as we reflect on this tragedy we cannot forget how xenophobic and misogynistic language can fuel senseless acts of violence. Unfortunately, we've continued to see hateful language drive acts of violence against communities of color across the country. As we honor the lives of the victims today, it is important to recommit ourselves to stand against racism and misogyny and reaffirm that Anti-Asian rhetoric has no place in this country.”

Rep. Linda Sánchez (CA-38):

“Three years ago, our country witnessed a terrible act of violence in Georgia, fueled by hate and racist language. Today I stand with my CAPAC colleagues and AAPI communities in remembering the victims and standing against anti-Asian hate and xenophobia in our country. Our communities have suffered enough, and we must put an end to these kinds of tragedies.”

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