CWA Statement on Atlanta Murders and Surge in Anti-Asian Hate Crimes

Our entire CWA family is anguished by the horrific murder of eight people in Atlanta, Ga., on Tuesday, including six Asian American women. Our condolences go out to the victims and their families.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Asian American communities around the country have been targeted by groups and individuals who are driven by white supremacist and misogynistic beliefs and encouraged by right-wing politicians and media figures. The tragedy in Atlanta occurred in a climate of anti-Asian hate and scapegoating.

This is not the first time in our country’s history these communities have been subject to racial and ethnic hatred. From the Chinese Exclusion Act to Japanese Internment to targeted hate crimes, mass shootings and the disproportionate impact of incarcerations and deportations on Asian communities, anti-Asian racism has been a reoccurring injustice in our country’s history.

Despite this, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have continued to believe in the promise of America and have been leaders in movements, including the labor movement, dedicated to realizing that promise. Most recently, Asian American frontline workers have put their lives at risk to serve their communities during the COVID-19 pandemic, even as they faced the additional burden of racist attacks.

We cannot allow these attacks to continue. As union members and activists, we have the responsibility to prevent the spread of violence and hate and stand in solidarity with Asian American communities. As we mourn those who were lost to violence, we continue our efforts to build an anti-racist union so that we can stand united against the true enemies of the working class.