This resolution was adopted by the membership on May 12, 2021.
Resolution to Act Now on Anti-Asian Violence
WHEREAS former President Trump, since the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, used rallies and press conferences to blame the virus’ spread on people of Asian descent by repeatedly and purposely calling COVID-19 the “China virus” and/or “kung-flu”; and
WHEREAS, since the start of the pandemic, nearly 3,800 incidents of anti-Asian violence have been reported to the Stop AAPI Hate website across all 50 states , including assaults on vulnerable, elderly Asians, some of which have resulted in the death or permanent maiming of victims; and
WHEREAS racial violence has, sadly, been weaponized against Asian persons throughout U.S. history, including the lynching of eighteen Chinese immigrant laborers in Los Angeles in 1871 (the largest mass lynching ever in America), and the expulsion of Chinese immigrant laborers during riots in Tacoma (1885) and Seattle (1886); and
WHEREAS the recent increase in anti-Asian violence has also reached the Seattle area, according to data reported by the Seattle Police Department and the King County Prosecutor’s office; indeed, the Chinese Information and Service Center has logged nearly 400 reports of hate and bias incidents in King County since spring of 2020; and
WHEREAS Asians are the fastest-growing racial group in the U.S.; King County is nearly 20% Asian and in some King County cities the Asian demographic is over 30%; and
WHEREAS both President Biden and Governor Jay Inslee have issued statements condemning the spike in anti-Asian violence during the COVID-19 pandemic;
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED the 34th Legislative District Democrats stand in solidarity with the Asian community and all people of color against racial violence, and we acknowledge that anti-racism work must begin at the local level in our communities and our schools; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we call on the King County Sheriff’s office to track and respond to reports of racial violence, and to work with immigrant communities to assure that its responses are culturally and linguistically sensitive; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED we call upon the city councils and the County Council within King County to acknowledge the many contributions of our Asian community to ensure that there is no place for hate crimes against any persons in their cities and to join in celebrating this May’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED we call on each school district within King County to raise awareness regarding anti-Asian taunting, to firmly discourage it, and to have resources available to address the resultant physical, mental and emotional stress upon Asian youth.
Adopted 5/12/21 by the 34th Legislative District Democrats
Originated by Celia Wu, 45th LD