Atlanta (March 18, 2021) – The murders of eight people that took place across three Atlanta small businesses this week appear to be part of a surge of violence in America against Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities following widespread misinformation regarding AAPIs and the COVID-19 pandemic. These most recent crimes—as well as the 3,800+ other anti-AAPI hate incidents in the past year—are a reflection of the gross inequities and hate facing minority communities in America. These acts of violence are not random. The perpetrator’s senseless actions were borne from widespread normalization, apathy, and acceptance of racial inequity, white supremacy, and racism.
Morris, Manning & Martin condemns any acts driven by hate, racism, or xenophobia. It is our responsibility to acknowledge and confront inequality and hate when and where it exists. Our duty as leaders in our communities does not end until minorities are viewed as equals in the minds of all Americans and in the eyes of the law. As a start, the firm will make a donation to a fund set up by Asian Americans Advancing Justice to help the victims’ families. We will also look for other ways to contribute our firm resources toward solutions to the injustices impacting minority populations. We will seek justice for these victims and see to it that their deaths will initiate change to end violence against Asian American communities. We must do better. Together, we believe we can.
