CPC STATEMENT ON THE RISE IN ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
Date: 3/1/2021
Press Contacts: Wayne Ho, President & CEO | (212) 941-0920 x 143 | who@cpc-nyc.org
CHINESE-AMERICAN PLANNING COUNCIL STATEMENT ON RISE IN ANTI-ASIAN HATE CRIMES
Nation’s Largest Asian American Social Services Organization Calls for Restorative Justice, Investment in Communities, and Solidarity with All Communities of Color
New York, NY – The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) denounces the rise in anti-Asian discrimination and hate crimes in New York and around the country. Since the start of the pandemic, CPC has stated unequivocally that COVID-19 is a public health issue, not a racial, ethnic, or immigrant issue. Asian Americans have been serving on the front lines throughout the pandemic, risking their own health as doctors, nurses, human services workers, early childhood teachers, grocers, delivery workers, and more.
Everyone deserves to feel safe. Everyone should experience dignity and respect in the places they live, work, study, play, and worship. Unfortunately, Asian Americans have reported an increase in public assaults, harassment, and hate crimes during these challenging times. Anti-Asian discrimination exacerbates the devastating impacts from COVID-19, including a 6,900% growth in the unemployment rate among the Asian American community and a 35.7% mortality rate among Chinese New Yorkers (both the highest among all communities).
CPC condemns violence and hate of all forms, and calls on government officials and community leaders to promote safety, respect, and dignity in all New York City neighborhoods. However, this does not mean over-policing, but rather investing in services to meet our communities' needs, and in restorative justice to ensure that there is accountability and healing. Resources must be allocated to organizations that have trust and deep ties in the community to provide human services, health care, and mental health supports. The City and State must ensure that New York’s recovery is inclusive and equitable, from economic relief to vaccine distribution.
CPC stands in solidarity with our neighbors to confront racism and injustice, and address their root causes. We must continue to work together in solidarity with all communities of color, immigrant communities, LGBTQ+ communities, and other communities to firmly state that hate has no place in our city.
About CPC
The Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC) is the nation's largest Asian American social services organization. Founded in 1965, CPC aims to promote the social and economic empowerment of Chinese American, immigrant, and low-income communities of New York City.
華人策劃協會(華策會)是全美國最大的亞裔美國人及太平洋島民社區服務機構.成立於1965年,華策會專門為紐約市的華裔美國人,移民,和低收入民眾提供金融權力和社區服務.