Rejecting Hate, Demanding Action on Gun Violence
Today, we honor and remember the lives tragically lost in the Atlanta spa shootings. Four years ago, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a horrific hate crime was committed against the Asian American community and the beauty salon industry in Georgia. This act of violence was devastating for the AANHPI community, occurring amid a surge in anti-Asian hate, discrimination, and harassment across the nation.
While our community continues to navigate fear and uncertainty, we remain steadfast in our commitment to solidarity with all those who face violence due to their race, ethnicity, or gender identity. The fight for justice and safety is far from over, and we must confront the systems that allow these tragedies to persist.
Gun violence is an epidemic in this country. It is unacceptable that acts of hate and mass shootings continue to devastate families while lawmakers fail to take decisive action. At the same time, we must hold our elected officials to a higher standard. Rhetoric that seeks to divide communities, scapegoat minorities, and fuel fear must be called out and rejected. Words have power, and when leaders use their platforms irresponsibly, they have consequences.
OCA urges legislators to pass common-sense gun safety laws, including universal background checks, red flag laws, and an assault weapons ban, to prevent future tragedies. Specifically, we call on Congress to pass Ethan’s Law (H.R. 660 / S. 173 in the 118th Congress), which would establish federal safe storage requirements to prevent unauthorized access to firearms, particularly by minors. We cannot afford to wait for another senseless act of violence to take more innocent lives.
As we honor the victims of the Atlanta spa shootings, let this day serve as a call to action. Hate and gun violence should have no place in our country. Contact your representatives, demand action, and join us in the fight for a safer, more just future.
In solidarity,
Thu Nguyen
Executive Director, OCA - Asian Pacific American Advocates
Please direct all inquiries to OCA Senior Communications Associate Socheata Sun at socheata.sun@ocanational.org.
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OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to Advancing the sociopolitical and holistic well-being of all Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders(AANHPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.
