CONTACT:
Brandon Lee
blee@advancingjustice-chicago.org
773-271-0899 x200
Advancing Justice Fears Backlash in Aftermath of San Bernardino Shootings
LOS ANGELES – Asian Americans Advancing Justice (Advancing Justice) extends our deepest condolences to those affected by yesterday’s shooting at the Inland Regional Center in San Bernardino, California. We also condemn the mass shooting, this latest one hitting particularly close to home in its setting at a social service agency in a region served by Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles.
As the investigation unfolds and information on the suspects is released, we urge the media to exercise caution in its reporting and to avoid stereotyping or profiling of individuals or communities on the basis of race, religion, national origin or immigrant status. We also greatly fear that the naming of two suspects will trigger a backlash against the Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim and South Asian (AMEMSA) members of our community.
Already, hate crimes and other attacks against Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim have spiked in the U.S. since the November 13th attacks in Paris. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) reports more than 20 incidents of threats or violence committed against individuals or mosques in the U.S., in the days immediately following the Paris attacks, including several in California. The most recent incident occurred earlier this week, when a bullet-riddled copy of the Qur’an was found at the door of an Islamic clothing store in Orange County, California.
Advancing Justice stands against the rampant Islamophobia sweeping across our nation and we urge AMEMSA community members to be vigilant and to report any suspected hate crimes to local law enforcement or a community advocacy organization. Calls can be made to Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago at 773-271-0899.
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Asian Americans Advancing Justice is a national affiliation of five leading organizations advocating for the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and other underserved communities to promote a fair and equitable society for all. The affiliation’s members are: Advancing Justice – AAJC (Washington, D.C.), Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus (San Francisco), Advancing Justice – Atlanta, Advancing Justice – Chicago, and Advancing Justice – Los Angeles.