In solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander communities

We grieve the loss of Delaina Ashley Yaun, Xiaojie Tan, Daoyou Feng, Paul Andre Michels, Soon Chung Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, and Yong Ae Yue.*

The murder of eight individuals, including six Asian women, in the Atlanta area on March 15th is heartbreaking and horrific. This is not an isolated incident. Over the last year, anti-Asian hate crimes have increased significantly across our country — and our local communities and the state of Oregon are not separate from what just happened in Georgia. Our neighbors who identify as Asian American and Pacific Islanders are living with intense feelings of fear and grief. The Environmental Center condemns these acts of violence, and we continue to reflect on our role in dismantling beliefs and systems that directly impact and harm our community members.  

To our Asian American staff, partners, community members, and leaders: We see you and stand in solidarity with you. Your cultures, identities, ideas and contributions to our community are so valued.

Thank you to those who organized the vigil in Bend last night, including TRACEs Central Oregon and Healing Justice Collective. 

Please take time to learn more about the history of racism and violence against Asian Americans in Oregon and our nation, and how to disrupt the perpetuation of this harm. Below are two places to start.  

• From the Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon. This post includes ways to support Asian American advocates in Georgia, and ways to donate in support of victims and their families.
• From Anti-Racism Daily.

*This post was updated to include the names of all victims.