ACLU Comment on Anti-Asian Killings in Atlanta

NEW YORK — Late Tuesday night, eight people were killed in a shooting rampage at three spas in the Atlanta area. Six of the victims were Asian women. This tragedy comes in the midst of a rapid rise in Anti-Asian violent attacks since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the majority of which have targeted women.

Manar Waheed, legislative policy counsel with the ACLU, had the following comment:

"Yesterday's heartbreaking tragedy comes after a year of escalating attacks against Asian Americans, particularly Asian women, in America during the pandemic. Our hearts are with the victims, their families and communities, and all those who are more sad and afraid today. Asian Americans have long been the target of discrimination and hate in our country's history and have worked in solidarity with other marginalized communities to end scapegoating and racism. We will continue to fight for a world where all of our communities can live without fear.”