CAPAC Members Observe AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tomorrow, May 18, 2024, marks the sixth annual National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate. This date falls on the birthday of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man who was brutally murdered in 1982 in an anti-Asian hate crime. His death ignited a national outcry, sparking a historic Asian American civil rights movement and multiracial coalition that persists today.
In advance of tomorrow, CAPAC Members released the following statements observing the day:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“Four decades ago, Vincent Chin’s life was tragically cut short by two auto workers who, scapegoating him for the loss of American jobs, brutally murdered him. On his birthday tomorrow, Vincent would have turned 69 years old. Unfortunately, the hate-fueled violence that killed him is anything but a thing of the past—it continues to cost AANHPIs individuals their lives and instill fear in our communities today. Even at our highest levels of government leadership, we have seen rhetoric charged with xenophobia and hiding behind thinly veiled concerns for national or economic security that has contributed directly to the rise in hate and violence against our communities. This is a dangerous pattern we have seen throughout history. We saw it with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, with the targeted violence and surveillance against Muslim, Middle Eastern, Arab, Sikh and South Asian communities after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and with the rise in anti-Asian bullying, hate, and violence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Pacific Islander communities especially have frequently experienced disproportionate profiling and police brutality. Even in schools, AANHPI students face bias-based bullying and harassment, much of which goes unreported. This bigotry must come to an end. Our communities, and all communities, deserve to live without fear. So today, we stand in solidarity with those who have experienced anti-Asian hate and with the advocates and organizations who are pushing back against prejudice every day to create an inclusive America for us all.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“Today we recognize National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AANHPI community members became scapegoats for the coronavirus’ spread and anti-Asian hate proliferated. Asian Americans and all Americans deserve to live free from xenophobia and prejudice. Today and every day we must stand against hate in all of its forms.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“Discrimination has no place in our country. Bullying and xenophobia are not innate to people – they are learned behaviors that can be corrected. Whether in school or in the workplace, discrimination against AANHPI people is on the rise due to hateful rhetoric and fear from some leaders. Today, I join my colleagues in taking a firm stance for diversity and celebrate the collation of AANHPI people who have made policy more inclusive for all.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“As we commemorate the sixth annual National AANHPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we also honor the life of Vincent Chin. Vincent should be celebrating his 69th birthday tomorrow, but in June of 1982, he was targeted because of his race and brutally murdered. Unfortunately, the same hatred that fueled Vincent’s horrific murder still exists today. Now more than ever we must unite against all forms of racism, xenophobia and violence. Today and every day I stand with my colleagues against AANHPI bullying and hate.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):
“Hate is a virus. If we don’t respond with urgency, it will only continue to spread. As we recognize National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we understand the need to remain vigilant and equip our communities with the resources and tools to combat hate in all its forms. Across the country, and at all levels of government, we are witnessing a rise in discriminatory policies that aim to perpetuate racial stereotypes, restore systemic disparities, and limit opportunities for AANHPIs. Xenophobia, racism, and bias are pervasive and persistent when left unchecked. That is why we must stand together—unified in our commitment to inclusivity and equity—to put a stop to bullying and hate against the AANHPI community.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tomorrow, May 18, 2024, marks the sixth annual National Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Day Against Bullying and Hate. This date falls on the birthday of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man who was brutally murdered in 1982 in an anti-Asian hate crime. His death ignited a national outcry, sparking a historic Asian American civil rights movement and multiracial coalition that persists today.
CAPAC Members released the following statements observing the day:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“Four decades ago, Vincent Chin’s life was tragically cut short by two auto workers who, scapegoating him for the loss of American jobs, brutally murdered him. On his birthday tomorrow, Vincent would have turned 69 years old. Unfortunately, the hate-fueled violence that killed him is anything but a thing of the past – it continues to cost AANHPIs individuals their lives and instill fear in our communities today. Even at our highest levels of government leadership, we have seen rhetoric that is charged with xenophobia, hiding behind thinly veiled concerns for national or economic security, that has contributed directly to the rise in hate and violence against our communities. This is a dangerous pattern we have seen throughout history. We saw it with the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, with Japanese American incarceration during World War II, with the targeted violence and surveillance against Muslim, Middle Eastern, Arab, Sikh and South Asian communities after the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and with the rise in anti-Asian bullying, hate, and violence throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Pacific Islander communities especially have frequently experienced disproportionate profiling and police brutality. Even in schools, AANHPI students face bias-based bullying and harassment, much of which goes unreported. This bigotry must come to an end. Our communities, and all communities, deserve to live without fear. So today, we stand in solidarity with those who have experienced anti-Asian hate and with the advocates and organizations who are pushing back against prejudice every day to create an inclusive America for us all.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“Today we recognize National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, AANHPI community members became scapegoats for the coronavirus’ spread and anti-Asian hate proliferated. Asian Americans and all Americans deserve to live free from xenophobia and prejudice. Today and every day we must stand against hate in all of its forms.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“Discrimination has no place in our country. Bullying and xenophobia are not innate to people – they are learned behaviors that can be corrected. Whether in school or in the workplace, discrimination against AANHPI people is on the rise due to hateful rhetoric and fear from some leaders. Today, I join my colleagues in taking a firm stance for diversity and celebrate the collation of AANHPI people who have made policy more inclusive for all.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“As we commemorate the sixth annual National AANHPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we also honor the life of Vincent Chin. Vincent should be celebrating his 69th birthday tomorrow, but in June of 1982, he was targeted because of his race and brutally murdered. Unfortunately, the same hatred that fueled Vincent’s horrific murder still exists today. Now more than ever we must unite against all forms of racism, xenophobia and violence. Today and every day I stand with my colleagues against AANHPI bullying and hate.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):
“Hate is a virus. If we don’t respond with urgency, it will only continue to spread. As we recognize National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we understand the need to remain vigilant and equip our communities with the resources and tools to combat hate in all its forms. Across the country, and at all levels of government, we are witnessing a rise in discriminatory policies that aim to perpetuate racial stereotypes, restore systemic disparities, and limit opportunities for AANHPIs. Xenophobia, racism, and bias are pervasive and persistent when left unchecked. That is why we must stand together—unified in our commitment to inclusivity and equity—to put a stop to bullying and hate against the AANHPI community.”
Sen. Mazie Hirono (HI):
“As we observe National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, it is important that we continue standing up to bigotry to create a more inclusive and equitable future for all. As we work to combat hate and discrimination in all forms, I am inspired by many of the young people I’ve met who are dedicated to promoting understanding and making positive changes in their communities, and I’ll continue fighting so our keiki can grow up in a more diverse, accepting world.”
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03):
“As the dad of two young boys, I think about the kind of America they and others are growing up in and how we can work to build them a world free of bullying and hate. AANHPI families and communities across the country are continuing to endure a great deal of loss and fear from dangerous stereotyping, xenophobic rhetoric, and tragic incidences of hateful violence. AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is an important call to action for everyone to not grow numb to this, reflect on the dangerous division hate creates, and refocus on how we can create a more inclusive, safe, and accepting future for all our communities.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):
“On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we remember Vincent Chin, whose 1982 murder highlights the persistent issue of anti-AANHPI racism and violence in our country. Forty years after Chin's death, many still endure the repercussions of anti-AANHPI bigotry, from casual insults in schools to violent attacks fueled by COVID misinformation. In 2020 to 2021, according to an FBI report, there was a 168 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crime incidents. Both Congress and the American people must relentlessly condemn all forms of bullying and hate against the AANHPI community. Let us remember Vincent Chin and work tirelessly to prevent such tragedies from happening ever again.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13):
“Racism and xenophobia is never acceptable. On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate and everyday, I am committed to creating a safer environment for my AAPI constituents to ensure that no one is ever discriminated against because of their heritage.”
Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-03):
“As the dad of two young boys, I think about the kind of America they and others are growing up in and how we can work to build them a world free of bullying and hate. AANHPI families and communities across the country are continuing to endure a great deal of loss and fear from dangerous stereotyping, xenophobic rhetoric, and tragic incidences of hateful violence. AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate is an important call to action for everyone to not grow numb to this, reflect on the dangerous division hate creates, and refocus on how we can create a more inclusive, safe, and accepting future for all our communities.”
Rep. Barbara Lee (CA-12):
“On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate, we remember Vincent Chin, whose 1982 murder highlights the persistent issue of anti-AANHPI racism and violence in our country. Forty years after Chin's death, many still endure the repercussions of anti-AANHPI bigotry, from casual insults in schools to violent attacks fueled by COVID misinformation. In 2020 to 2021, according to an FBI report, there was a 168 percent increase in anti-Asian hate crime incidents. Both Congress and the American people must relentlessly condemn all forms of bullying and hate against the AANHPI community. Let us remember Vincent Chin and work tirelessly to prevent such tragedies from happening ever again.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13):
“Racism and xenophobia is never acceptable. On National AAPI Day Against Bullying and Hate and every day, I am committed to creating a safer environment for my AAPI constituents to ensure that no one is ever discriminated against because of their heritage.”