Hate is a Virus

As a city we stand united against racism. While violence resulting from racism has been more visible in recent years, many of our colleagues and community members have been surviving the violence resulting from racism for generations. This is especially true for many Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and Pacific Islander communities that have often grappled with the effects of racism in silence or without widespread acknowledgement and support.

Hate against Asian American Pacific Islander communities has risen at an alarming rate during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Anti-Asian violence has been fueled by rhetoric baselessly blaming people of Asian descent for the outbreak and spread of COVID-19.  We condemn all forms of racism and xenophobia and stand in support of any marginalized groups who are being targeted.

Let’s continue coming together to stop racism in all its forms, including Asian discrimination. We can all do our part to stop bias, hate, and violence by educating ourselves and taking action. 

One action to take today is enrolling in Hollaback’s online training, Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment.  The organization has partnered with Asian Americans Advancing Justice to launch a free bystander intervention training to meet this moment.  

As this year has shown, San Franciscans excel at connecting with each other in order to create the change we want to see in our city and the world. And we can do it again.