Statement from the New York Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community Denouncing Islamophobia and Anti-Asian Hate

Islamophobia and other forms of anti-Asian hate, anti-Arab hate, antisemitism, and anti-Blackness, stem from the same systems of oppression. Hate does not have a place in our vision for New York. As leaders across New York’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities, we denounce the violence and humanitarian crises being perpetrated in Palestine and the violence perpetrated in Israel. And we stand in solidarity with Muslim, Sikh, Jewish, South Asian, West Asian, and Arab American communities in the United States that are unjustly experiencing a rise of violence and hate. 

Islamophobia is a form of anti-Asian hate and we are calling upon all leadership in New York to stand with us to denounce all forms of hate at this moment. We also call for an end to one-sided messaging that spreads misinformation and breeds divisiveness and hate, putting our communities and families at risk.  

At this moment, as a direct result of the horrific events in the Middle East, the Muslim community in the U.S. is experiencing yet another large spike in Islamophobia. In the last week, we have seen horrific attacks on Palestinian, Muslim, and Sikh Americans, including children. As community-based organizations that work with diverse AAPI communities across New York, we are hearing Muslim, Sikh, South Asian, West Asian, and Arab American community members of all ages, from young people to the elderly, reporting hate crimes, bullying, being harassed, and living in fear of leaving their homes, going to work, and attending school. Organizations working with survivors of gender-based violence are also seeing community members experience heightened fears leading to further isolation and violence at home.  

The consequences of September 11, 2001 have left a lasting impact of trauma on the Muslim, Sikh, South Asian, West Asian, and Arab American communities. We cannot forget the devastating effects of state sanctioned violence, deportations, profiling, and surveillance in the community. We must ensure this doesn't happen again, and we call on elected officials and community leaders to stand together to denounce Islamophobia and to see it as a form of anti-Asian hate. 

We must not lose sight of humanity. We must not allow for the rise of hate. As AAPI organizations, we the undersigned, stand firm in our commitment to work to ensure that all communities in New York live with safety and dignity.

(List In formation)

A Place for Kids

Adhikaar

Apex for Youth

Apicha Community Health Center

APNA Brooklyn Community Center

Arab American Association of NY

Asian American Arts Alliance

Asian American Institute for Research and Engagement

Asian Jade Alliance

Autism Society Habilitation Organization

BACDYS

Bridges From Borders

Brooklyn Raga Massive

Caribbean Equality Project

Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans, Inc. (CIANA)

Chhaya CDC

Chinese Better Living Association (CBLA)

Chinese American Social Services Center

Chinese Progressive Association

Chinese-American Family Alliance for Mental Health

Chinese-American Planning Council

CMP

Coalition for Asian American Children and Families

Community Inclusion & Development Alliance (CIDA)

Emgage Foundation Inc.

Garden of Hope

Glow Community Center, Inc

Hamilton-Madison House

Homecrest Community Services, Inc.

Immigrant Social Services, Inc.

Indochina Sino-American Community Center

Indochina Sino-American Senior Citizen Center, Inc.

Jahajee Sisters

Japanese American Social Services, Inc. (JASSI)

Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York

Kinding Sindaw

Korea Art Forum

MALIKAH

Mekong NYC

MinKwon Center for Community Action

Muslim Community Network (MCN)

Muslim Entrepreneur Association

National Federation of Filipino American Associations- NY Chapter (NaFFAA-NY)

Project New Yorker

RaisingHealth

Sakhi for South Asian Women

Sapna NYC

Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)

South Asian Council for Social Services

South Asian Public Health Association

Suffolk County Asian Jade Society

Turning Point for Women and Families

UA3, Inc.

UNITED SIKHS

Woman’s Empowerment Coalition of NYC

Woodside On The Move

YMCA of Greater New York Chinatown