Johanna Puno Hester, APALA National President and Assistant Executive Director of the United Domestic Workers, AFSCME Local 3930, stated: “The despicable acts of hate and racism we saw this past weekend cannot be called anything else but acts of terror. To water down the true intent and meaning of such a vitriolic rally is to be complicit in a system that accepts the debasement and dehumanization of communities of color and all marginalized groups.”
“We applaud the many peaceful counter protesters who stood shoulder to shoulder in the larger fight to dismantle racism,” commented APALA Executive Director Alvina Yeh. “Moving forward, we must remember the power that our communities have in numbers, especially in these times when our communities are under constant attack. We will not be silenced nor will we back down to the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and the administration, which continues to push policies of white supremacy and nationalism.”
Hester concluded: “APALA condemns this ongoing trend of white supremacy, racism, and outright bigotry, and we will continue to partner with coalitions and networks that build power for ours- and allied- communities and work towards a more equitable and just society.”
During APALA’s 14th Biennial Convention, APALA will be holding a vigil in solidarity of the deceased and the injured at the Hilton Anaheim on Thursday, August 17, 2017 at 7:00pm. Please join us and send a message that the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and our allies will not accept racism and acts of hate and violence. Click here to RSVP.
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