The resolution, brought forward by District 2 Supervisor Patrick Kennedy, confirms that Sacramento County’s Board of Supervisors will work to ensure all members of AAPI communities are treated with dignity, respect and feel safe in this community.
“This resolution is, unfortunately, necessary and timely,” said Supervisor Kennedy. “We condemn in the strongest terms all hate crimes and xenophobic rhetoric against AAPI individuals, communities and businesses during the pandemic. It is important for the AAPI community to know that Sacramento County stands with each and every one of you.
“We are committing ourselves today to develop real, community-led solutions that acknowledge the experiences of AAPI residents, root out systemic racism, and uplift racial unity.”
Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in California in March 2020, there has been a rise in reported hate incidents and crimes against AAPI individuals because of harmful rhetoric related to the geographic origins of the disease. Stop AAPI Hate, a national coalition aimed at addressing anti-Asian discrimination through the pandemic, received reports of more than 800 hate incidents in California against the AAPI community from March to June 2020.
The resolution also states the intent to work with AAPI community partners in support of data gathering that is culturally appropriate and to acknowledge systemic barriers to reporting hate crimes impacting people in the AAPI community.