BPHA CAUCUS CHAIRWOMAN MICHAELLE SOLAGES ISSUES STATEMENT ON INCREASED ANTI-ASIAN VIOLENCE

ALBANY, NY (March 24, 2021) – “The New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community,” said Chairwoman Solages. “We join millions of New Yorkers in denouncing the rise in violence, discrimination, and xenophobia directed against the AAPI community in Atlanta, GA and across New York State.

We continue to be inspired by community activists leading on the ground, as well as leaders within our caucus, such as Assemblymembers Ron Kim, Yuh-Line Niou, Zohran Mamdani, Nader Sayegh, and Jenifer Rajkumar, and Senators John Liu, Anna Kaplan, Kevin Thomas, and Jeremy Cooney. We acknowledge their leadership as they continue to use their office to fight for a more inclusive and equitable New York.

Unfortunately, this sort of violence isn’t new to many New Yorkers. Last summer, we saw millions take the streets to protest the unjust racial violence that Black Americans endured for generations. Just as we stood with Black Lives Matter, we must also come together to #StopAsianHate and commit to working towards a New York that is safe for everyone. We all have an obligation to stand up against racism, wherever and whenever we find it.

As legislators, we must prioritize ensuring that our New York State budget reflects our values, and that the lives, safety, and culture of the Asian community are supported through equitable funding of local community-based organizations. The AAPI community is and will always be a vital source of culture, history, and identity in New York State. We stand with you, we fight with you, and we are you.”