Pelosi Statement on Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Contact: Speaker's Press Office,
202-226-7616
San Francisco – Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement in recognition of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month:
"Asian Pacific American Heritage Month offers all Americans an opportunity to celebrate the AAPI community's extraordinary achievements and all they have done to shape our history, defend our nation and strengthen our democracy. Generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander communities have contributed their energy, creativity, diversity and patriotism to enrich our communities and prove what we have always known, that the beauty is in the mix.
"This Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, as our nation faces a health and economic crisis of staggering proportions, Asian American communities have been forced to fight on two fronts – to protect not only their health but also their dignity and safety, amid a disturbing surge in anti-Asian discrimination and racially-motivated violence. Over the past month alone, the Stop AAPI Hate center has reported almost 1,500 incidents of harassment, workplace discrimination and violent attacks against Asian Americans across America. In San Francisco, where we take immense pride in our large and vibrant AAPI community, scores of hateful incidents have recently been perpetrated, undermining our bedrock values of freedom, equality and justice for all. We cannot and will not allow fear and discrimination to inflict pain and suffering on our vulnerable communities – particularly during this time of historic crisis.
"Today, and every day, we recognize the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and all they have done to enrich our culture and our nation. This recent resurgence of anti-Asian discrimination is a traumatic reminder of the work that remains to combat continued injustice and end xenophobia once and for all. Working together, we can honor our heritage as a nation of immigrants and build a brighter future for all Americans."
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