A Call for Community Resources to End Violence Against Asian Americans
SAN FRANCISCO - March 23, 2021 - Neighborhood Centers Together stands in solidarity with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in San Francisco and across this country who have been under attack by increasingly horrific and brazen anti-Asian violence.
We grieve for the lives lost this past week in Atlanta in the premeditated mass murder of Asian American women. We are shocked and terrified with the rise in hate crimes in San Francisco, especially against Asian elders. This moment demands that we fully listen to the pain of victims while also acknowledging the years of suffering and violence that have been underreported and unrecognized.
“Asian Americans have been living in fear during the past year fueled by anti-Asian hate speech. This is not acceptable, and we call upon our political, business and community leaders to speak out against those who knowingly, or unknowingly, disparage the Asian community,” Nestor L. Fernandez II, Executive Director of TEL HI Neighborhood Center.
We believe that San Francisco’s elected officials and city departments must respond by listening to the calls of Asian American community organizations. In those calls, we hear pleas for renewed investment, community-led safety efforts, and a stronger commitment to ending hate crimes, especially those against seniors.
We acknowledge, too, that our member Neighborhood Centers must be part of the healing. For our seven Neighborhood Centers throughout San Francisco to truly be safe havens within their communities, we must ensure our Asian American residents are protected, supported, and empowered. We commit to using both our voice and our resources to end these injustices.
Michael Lee, Executive Director of Cameron House, “We’re grateful to so many of our brothers, sisters and folx of all cultures, creeds and orientations - who stand in solidarity and our common humanity to comfort, grieve and to speak out in the name of justice. This is a moment for all of us to reach for our highest, most full potential to lift our communities, our nation and our global family.”
About Neighborhood Centers Together
Neighborhood Centers Together (NCT) is a network of 7 Neighborhood Centers throughout San Francisco. Collectively, we serve tens of thousands of low-income, marginalized San Franciscans. Our Neighborhood Centers are anchors of service and community in their respective neighborhoods. Since 2001, NCT has convened Neighborhood Centers across the city to envision a community where residents of all backgrounds have equal access to economic and social opportunities.
Michael Lee
Executive Director
Cameron House
Nestor Fernandez
Executive Director
Telegraph Hill Neighborhood Center
Michelle Cusano
Executive Director
Richmond Neighborhood Center
Gina Dacus
Executive Director
Bernal Heights Neighborhood Center
Chris Shelton
Director of Operations
Booker T. Washington Community Center
Felisia Thibodeaux
Executive Director
I.T. Bookman Community Services
Mario Paz
Executive Director
Good Samaritan Family Services Center
Danny Sauter
Executive Director
Neighborhood Centers Together