Title
Condemning xenophobia and racism against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in the City of Saint Paul.
Body
WHEREAS, Novel COVID-19 is galvanizing xenophobia and racism against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities; and
WHEREAS, this modern form of discrimination falls within a long-established historical pattern of scapegoating or characterizing Asians as foreign, invasive threats, or as “the other” that has contributed to demonstrated negative health effects in our AAPI communities; and
WHEREAS, communities are shifting to a new normal to respond to COVID-19, but AAPI Minnesotans also now indicate that their safety is compromised because of increasing xenophobic and racist behaviors; and
WHEREAS, the use of anti-Asian terminology and rhetoric related to COVID-19, such as the “Chinese Virus”, “Wuhan Virus”, and “Kung-flu” have perpetuated anti-Asian stigma; and
WHEREAS, stories are emerging about harassment, discrimination, and bias that is making AAPI community members feel targeted; and
WHEREAS, since January 2020, there has been a dramatic increase in reports of hate crimes and incidents against those of AAPI descent; and
WHEREAS, according to Stop AAPI Hate, there were over 1,000 cases related to COVID-19 anti-Asian discrimination between March 19, 2020, and March 31, 2020, across the United States; and
WHEREAS, the increased use of anti-Asian rhetoric has resulted in Asian Americans being harassed, assaulted, and scapegoated for the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS in March 2020, anti-Asian violence includes: a woman wearing a mask was kicked and punched at a New York City subway station; two children and two adults were stabbed at a wholesale grocery in Midland, Texas; a couple was assaulted and robbed by a group of attackers in Philadelphia; and a 16-year-old boy was sent to the hospital after being attacked by bullies in Los Angeles, California; and
WHEREAS, the City’s AAPI residents are valued contribut...
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