The leaders at Leadership Council San Mateo County (LCSMC) are saddened and outraged by the increase in violence against our Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, both in San Mateo County and around the country. Members of AAPI communities have suffered acts of violence and harassment for years and these incidents have risen alarmingly since the beginning of the COVID pandemic. These acts of hate are unacceptable and have no place in our communities. Leadership Council San Mateo County rejects every form of racially motivated discrimination, hate, and violence.
At Leadership Council San Mateo County, we believe that communities are stronger when leaders are connected, knowledgeable, and are engaged in their efforts to create positive change. This work can only happen if all our leaders and their communities feel safe in their everyday lives and are free from fear, racism, and violence.
Sadly, this is not a reality for many in San Mateo County. At Leadership Council SMC, we pledge to forge leaders who will help make freedom from fear, discrimination, and violence a reality for all. We commit to ensuring that diverse communities are represented in Leadership Council SMC’s governance structure, our programming, our educators and presenters, and our class participants. When leaders from all communities are heard and connected, we truly will have thriving communities.
If you would like to support our AAPI communities, please consider these actions to understand, support, and promote safe communities:
- Donate or volunteer with the Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus
- Support community efforts in Atlanta, Georgia: AAPI Community Resources Offerings Form (mutual aid intake form), sign on to a community-centered response against anti-Asian violence, & donate to support families of the victims, Atlanta Action Card
- Track and report hate incidents: Stop AAPI Hate
- Donate to community members in need: Oakland Chinatown victims fund, IAPALA COVID19 Community Fund, Advancing Justice Atlanta Victim and Family Support Fund
- Complete Bystander Training: Training on how to respond when witnessing hate and harassment.
- Watch the PBS Documentary Series: The impact of Asian Americans on the country’s past, present, and future.
- Attend a rally: Pacifica, Oakland, San Francisco
- Support mental health for AAPI communities: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
