We are horrified to learn of the shootings that took place in the Atlanta area on Tuesday, which left eight people dead. Asian-Americans have been subject to a wave of discrimination and bigotry, amplified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and we must work together as a community to counter the brutal sentiments behind these attacks. 

Over the past year, there have been reports of nearly 4,000 hate crimes against members of the Asian-American community — and those are just the incidents that have been reported. This dangerous trend needs to be stopped. 

Tomorrow’s House Judiciary Committee hearing on discrimination and violence against Asian Americans is an important first step towards addressing this challenge, but more must be done.

As AAPI leaders and allies working in national security, we know diversity makes us stronger and that racism is a critical national security issue — one that cannot be ignored. Truman stands with the AAPI community and supports the important work of Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and others leading in this space.