Please read below for a statement issued by the Hmong American Bar Association:
March 18, 2021
The Hmong American Bar Association sends its condolences to the friends and families of the eight victims—six who were Asian American—who lost their lives in the horrifying and blatant Atlanta, Georgia, murders on March 16, 2021. We also lend our support in solidarity with the survivors. America has seen a dramatic increase of violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities based on fear and hatred—over 3,800 incidents since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, primarily against women. There is absolutely no place for racism in our communities. We must work together to support each other, especially when the world continues to fight against the deadly COVID-19 virus that has left many of our community members already vulnerable to the virus as well as food scarcity and unstable housing. The Hmong American Bar Association denounces these acts of violence and will work together with our members and partners towards protecting our community. For immediate assistance in Minnesota, if you have witnessed or experienced any acts of violence, bias, or discrimination, there is help. Please call the Minnesota Discrimination Hotline to report incidents. The information received will go directly to an investigator at the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). To report online, follow this link: https://mn.gov/mdhr/intake/consultationinquiryform/ To report to a MDHR staffer, call this number: 1-833-454-0148 To report an incident at a national level, here is a link to the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center: https://stopaapihate.org/ If you are currently experiencing a hate crime or fear for your safety, please call 911 immediately. The HABA board members urge our members and community to stay strong during this troubling time. Stay safe out there. Respectfully, The Hmong American Bar Association