We, the members of the United Church of the Valley, stand against racism, discrimination, and bigotry in any form. According to Stop AAPI Hate, there were approximately 2,800 acts of hate and bias targeting Asian Americans since the national emergence of COVID-19 in March 2020. The acts of hate are not limited to Asian Americans of one particular ethnicity. An 84-year-old Thai grandfather was fatally attacked while on his morning walk in San Francisco. A 91-year-old Chinese man was attacked in Oakland. A 64-year-old Vietnamese man was assaulted in San Jose. And a 61-year-old Filipino man was slashed on a subway in New York.
During the last year, there have been a significant increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans. Individuals are being threatened and harassed. Asian Americans are being told to “Go back to China,” and are being blamed for “bringing the virus” to the United States. The people are being referred to with racial slurs, spat on, and physically assaulted.
The members of United Church of the Valley strongly condemn the recent rise in anti-Asian hate incidents. We call on all people to unite in condemning these and all racially motivated acts of violence.
Sandy Selby, Moderator
Jamie Barnett, Vice Moderator
Kerry Keester-Wellman, Treasurer
Debbie Hudson, Secretary