Atlanta Attacks: Our Response

We at Peace Catalyst International stand in solidarity with our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) siblings in the wake of the tragic murders that took place against mostly Asian-American women in Atlanta, GA on Tuesday, March 16, 2021. We are heartbroken by the fact that the number of anti-Asian attacks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has surged, and that there are even more incidents of hate that have not been reported. 

We hold no space for any form of racism or hatred towards AAPI people, and we especially condemn the violence directed towards Asian-American women, who face horrific gender-based and sex-based stereotypes and discrimination within American society. We recognize the multilayered nature of this attack, which was fueled by white supremacy, patriarchy, and toxic masculinity. Blaming the victims as inducing “temptation” or claiming that the gunman was having a “bad day” are dismissive attempts to minimize the violence and shift responsibility away from the perpetrator.

The well-being of the APPI community is tied up with our own. If we believe that the second greatest commandment is to "Love your neighbor as yourself," then we are compelled to do that with all of our neighbors. Just as we collaborate with Muslim partners and others from many ethnic, cultural, and racial backgrounds, we believe that everyone—regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, class, culture, sexuality, nationality, or otherwise—deserves to be treated equally with dignity, love, and respect. Following in the ways of Jesus, our conviction is to continue pursuing solidarity and allyship with all of our neighbors experiencing violence and hate, especially our AAPI neighbors during this time. 

Let's pursue a more loving community that leaves no room for racism or hate against AAPI and other communities. Let's partner with those who are already working for justice and racial healing for their own communities. Let's be good allies, learning how to listen first so that we can truly stand in solidarity with our AAPI siblings.  

For some practical steps you can take, check out Stop AAPI Hate, a non-profit dedicated to equipping people to take action. Three action steps you can take right now: 

  1. Learn more about racism and hate against AAPI communities.

  2. Read and share these Safety Tips for those experiencing or witnessing hate.

  3. Check out these additional resources and statements: 

Nicole Gibson