AAPI Leaders Call on Mayor Lightfoot for a Community Response to Rise in Harassment Amid the Spread of Coronavirus

Advocacy Organizations Launch Petition Asking Mayor Lightfoot to Make Public Statement Addressing Surge of Hate Crimes Against Asian Americans in Chicago

CHICAGO — April 23, 2020, the National Asian Pacifi c American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and HANA Center launched a petition calling on Mayor Lightfoot to stand with the Asian American community against the surge of racist harassment and assault targeting them in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. This comes after weeks of talks to raise the issue with Lightfoot’s offi ce and collaborate on a solution to this nationwide problem.

While President Trump has used terms such as “Chinese virus” to associate the illness with persons of Asian descent, Asian Americans in Chicago have been spat on, yelled at, and physically attacked. Sales at AAPI- owned businesses plummeted long before stores and restaurants closed by city mandate. Asian American women have reported between twice and three times as many instances of hate, violence, and harassment when compared to men. NAPAWF members and staff have personally experienced instances of verbal harassment and abuse and their stories are available to press upon request.

Mayor Lightfoot should make a public statement to increase awareness of the danger facing Asian Americans and call on all Chicagoans to help create a safe environment for every person.

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum Executive Director Sung Yeon Choimorrow issued the following statement:

“Asian American women in Chicago are increasingly alarmed that we’ll be targeted with harassment and violence because of our race, ethnicity, or national origin if we step outside to get groceries or go to work. Mayor Lightfoot has a critical role to play in denouncing the racist misinformation around the coronavirus and ensuring the safety of our Asian American community. We believe a community response — not a law enforcement response — will be the most effective. We’re safer if our neighbors know about the risk we’re taking every time we venture outside and are engaged in being part of the solution.”

HANA Center Executive Director Inhe Choi issued the following statement:

“The Korean American community, along with other Asian American Pacifi c Islander communities has become a target of racism in our everyday life. We have been shouted at to go back to China on CTA, pushed with a shopping cart while being yelled at to stay away, and witnessed people telling their children to hide because there are Asians walking by. We fear for the physical, mental and emotional safety of our community members. Also, many of our small businesses are doubly hit – both because of the pandemic and the shelter in place that limits business transactions but also from people avoiding their businesses because they are Asian American. We must, as a city, come together, from leadership to everyday residents, and support the Asian American community against racism.”

Thirty local organizations have signed on in support of the petition: Access Living, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment, American Friends Service Committee – Chicago, Anakbayan Chicago, Chicago Abortion Fund, Chicago Community Bond Fund, Friends Who March, Hope Clinic for Women, Illinois Caucus for Adolescent Health, Illinois National Organization for Women, Indo-American Center, Jane Addams Senior Caucus, Japanese American Citizens League Chicago, Japanese American Service Committee, Justice with Jax, Kenwood Oakland Community Organization, Logan Square Neighborhood Association, Men4Choice, Midwest Access Coalition, Midwest Access Project, Mujeres Latinas en Acción, Northside Action for Justice, ONE Northside, Personal PAC

Planned Parenthood IL, StopCVE Coalition – Chicago, Vietnamese Association of Illinois, and Women Engaged. # # #