The Los Angeles Post

Statement by President Joseph R. Biden Jr. Honoring the Victims of the Fatal Shootings in Atlanta

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Washington DC – Today, the President released a statement on the one year anniversary of the Atlanta shootings honoring the victims.

One year ago today, eight people, six of them women of Asian descent, were tragically killed by a gunman who attacked three Asian-run businesses. These horrific murders shook communities across America and underscored how far we have to go in this country to fight racism, misogyny, and all forms of hate—and the epidemic of gun violence that enables these extremists.

In the aftermath of these senseless deaths, the Vice President and I traveled to Atlanta to meet with leaders of the Asian American community. We heard about the terror and anguish that too many Asian Americans have felt since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, when anti-Asian xenophobia, harassment, and violence skyrocketed to alarming levels. Grandparents afraid to leave their homes. Small business owners targeted and gunned down. Families living in fear for their lives just walking down the street in America. It was a stark reminder that anti-Asian violence and discrimination have deep roots in our nation, with Asian American women experiencing the compounded harms of being targeted on account of their race as well as their gender.

Today, we honor the victims, their families, and the Atlanta community that has shown extraordinary resilience in the face of tragedy. While nothing we do can bring the victims back, their loss has compelled us to reckon with our nation’s long legacy of anti-Asian sentiment and gender-based violence, and recommit ourselves to delivering the full measure of justice, safety, and dignity the Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community and all communities deserve. I was proud to sign the bipartisan COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law last May, which dedicated new tools and resources across government and law enforcement to help prevent, track, and respond to acts of hate, along with new Department of Justice grants and other measures to enhance community engagement, empowerment, and education.

This tragedy is also yet another reminder of the gun violence epidemic. My Administration has taken more executive action to reduce gun violence than any other Administration it its first year. But there is more to do—and Congress must act.

On this somber anniversary, my Administration remains fully committed to advancing safety, inclusion, and belonging for all Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders—especially the women and girls who disproportionately bear the burdens of hate—and to reducing the gun violence that terrorizes our communities. Together, we must build a future where no one fears violence.

 

Vice President Harris has also released the following remarks, to be delivered by Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Senior AA & NHPI Liaison, and Krystal Ka’ai, WHIAANHPI Executive Director, during today’s Asian Leaders Alliance event based in Atlanta, Georgia entitled: “Break the Silence: Justice for Asian Women – National.” During this event, Erika Moritsugu will be reading the following directly from Vice President Harris:

  • One year ago, our nation endured a heinous act of violence—an act born of racism, sexism, and hate.

 

  • Today, as a nation, we bear witness to the intolerance that still exists, and has sadly long existed, in our society. In particular, we bear witness to the increase in violence and discrimination in the past few years against Asian American women.

 

  • And we recommit to doing all we can to ensure all Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander individuals and communities are safe from violence, discrimination, and fear.

 

  • One year ago, eight members of this community, six of whom were women of Asian descent, were taken too soon. They were friends, siblings, parents. They were each deeply loved. And they are each profoundly missed.

 

  • Our nation mourns their loss. Their family and loved ones are in my thoughts and prayers.