FBANC Statement on the Rise of Anti-Asian Violence
The Filipino Bar Association of Northern California (FBANC) is appalled and saddened by the rising violence and hate inflicted upon Asian Pacific Americans (APA) over the past year. We especially mourn the deaths of elderly victims like Vichar Ratanapakdee, an 84-year old Thai-American, who was attacked while out on his morning walk in San Francisco.
FBANC continues to denounce racist characterizations of COVID-19, which have inflamed anti-Asian sentiments and contributed to a surge in anti-Asian hate crimes across the United States. The inappropriate racialization of this public health crisis has perpetuated intolerance toward APAs, making them vulnerable to further attacks.
In response to the xenophobic violence and discrimination, we encourage members of our community to report incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes to the appropriate authorities and the Stop AAPI Hate Reporting Center.
FBANC recognizes that in calling for accountability for anti-Asian violence, we must not be complicit in bigotry or racism that disproportionately impacts our Black brothers, sisters, and community members. That is why unequivocally FBANC reaffirms its support of the Black Lives Matter movement, and stands in unity with Asian, Black, Indigenous, Latinx, and other communities of color disproportionately impacted by systemic racism in the U.S. Racism, hatred, and violence have no place in our community and must be condemned in all its forms.
Contact Nelson Pineda Lam, FBANC Secretary nelsonlam@fbanc.org for more information.
About FBANC
Established in 1980, FBANC is an organization of attorneys, judges, and law students dedicated to serving the Filipinx and Filipinx-American community. Through the volunteer work of its members, including lifetime members, FBANC offers various service programs, including regular, free legal clinics, professional development programs for attorneys, and mentorship for law students and young attorneys. The organization also provides a voice for and advocates on behalf of Filipinx and Filipinx-American interests in various forums.