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(Washington, D.C.) – Cries for justice ring loudly today following targeted shootings that claimed the lives of eight people at three Atlanta-area businesses. Six Asian women and two other people are victims of the shootings, raising national concern that the attacks may be hate crimes against individuals of Asian descent. The following is a statement from Damon Hewitt, acting president and executive director of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law.

“As we strive to create a country that more firmly upholds inclusivity and recognizes the humanity in us all, we must do better to protect our Asian communities that are targets of violence and hatred, especially during the pandemic. Hate crimes against anyone in America are unacceptable and intolerable. We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters who are coping with this heartbreaking loss and we join them in demanding justice.”

Background:

Crimes targeting Asian Americans have risen dramatically since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. Data collected over the past year on hate crimes against the Asian community in the United States showed nearly 3,800 instances of discrimination and targeted violence.

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 About the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law – The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers’ Committee), a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization, was formed in 1963 at the request of President John F. Kennedy to involve the private bar in providing legal services to address racial discrimination. The principal mission of the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law is to secure, through the rule of law, equal justice for all, particularly in the areas of voting rights, criminal justice, fair housing and community development, economic justice, educational opportunities, and hate crimes.  For more information, please visit https://lawyerscommittee.org.