San Francisco’s Community Coalition for Safety and Justice Responds to Gun Violence Massacre in Atlanta
San Francisco, CA—-The Community Coalition for Safety and Justice (CCSJ-SF) stands with our Asian American community in grief, anger, and sorrow over the tragic loss of lives, including six Asian women to gun violence yesterday in the Atlanta area. We understand these murders within the context of an accumulation of racism and violence perpetrated against the Asian American community. It is not lost on us that Asian women are disproportionately affected by harassment and violence. The deep and long-standing trauma we experience is not a new phenomenon, but a continuation of systemic discrimination within our country’s history. We mourn for those who we have lost—their stories will not be forgotten. We stand with our community and commit all of the resources at our disposal to addressing the root causes of violence that have taken far too many of our loved ones.
As violence and terror permeate our communities across the nation, we are reminded daily of the Asian American experience as being situated within a history of white supremacy and false narratives that perpetuate our proximity to whiteness. Before the racist and incensing language of our former president amplified a culture of hate against Asians and specifically Chinese people, this nation promoted policies that excluded us, interned us, deported us, and systematically deprived us of resources. And while details are still unfolding and we await news regarding the motive, it does not change the fact that our community is in pain.
In this moment in history, our community feels crippled and helpless. That is why the work of addressing the root causes of violence, racism and misogyny has never been more important. We must come together to protect our community members and work towards long-term investments across communities of color that are needed for all our communities to be safe. Community-based Violence prevention programs, community ambassadors, financial resources for victims of families, education, and other community centered programs must be prioritized beyond the news cycle. Lives are at risk if community investments aren’t supported in our government budgets, and violence will persist if it is not addressed at its source.
We thank local Atlanta-area Asian American community-based organizations for their leadership during this time and we will continue to follow their lead. We ask our allies to do the same and stand in solidarity with Asian Americans.
About the Coalition for Community Safety and Justice:
The Coalition for Community Safety and Justice (CCCJ), comprises of four organizations including Chinese for Affirmative Action, Chinese Progressive Organization, the Community Youth Center, and the New Breath Foundation to address the inter-ethnic violence, anti-Asian racism, and build our city’s capacity to create alternatives to safety and justice.
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ACTIONS:
National Solidarity Statement
- To sign on a national solidarity statement or to support the work of local organizations in Georgia.
Community Event:
Bay Area Asian Community Responds to Georgia Massacre with Healing, Art in San Francisco’s Chinatown
- WHEN:
Saturday, March 20 at 12pm -2pm
- WHERE:
Portsmouth Square, Chinatown
Clay Street and Kearny Street
San Francisco, CA 94108
- WHAT:
This Saturday, March 20, Chinese Progressive Association, Community Coalition for Safety and Justice, other Asian American organizations, and Asian community members will gather at Portsmouth Square to mourn the eight people murdered during the mass shooting in Georgia, six of whom were Asian women, as well as the Asian elders who have lost their lives to violence in the recent weeks. This past week, a Chinese elderly woman and Vietnamese elderly man were also attacked in San Francisco, with the Chinese elderly woman resorting to self-defense. Our community is hurt, angry, and demands an end to violence, and will come together to heal together so we can continue to take action together.
We welcome the community to join: Bay Area Asian Community Healing Event