National ACE Georgia Statement
March 17, 2021
Washington, DC - Last night, eight people were killed in a series of shootings, and six of the eight victims were Asian American women. The murders in Atlanta have sent shockwaves throughout the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business community. National ACE shares in the grief and anger over the senseless murders. These killings and other violent or xenophobic acts against AAPIs are not only reprehensible, but they also contribute to the economic pressures that have disproportionately impacted the AAPI-owned business community during this pandemic.
“AAPI small businesses are experiencing higher levels of extreme discrimination and bias,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO of National ACE. “Operating their everyday business has become increasingly difficult. We are hearing directly from our local AAPI Chambers of Commerce partners that their small business communities are working in fear and are resorting to shutting down their essential businesses temporarily or even permanently. We are glad to see large corporations make statements on standing together with the AAPI community, but we must take action against this discrimination and bias and not ignore that these incidents are getting much worse.”
The Covid-19 pandemic has heightened public concerns and fears nationwide, leading to a rise in acts of hatred, bias, discrimination, and violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Federal, state, and local law enforcement officials have documented this rise in bias, including an NYPD report citing a 1,900% increase in hate crimes as a direct result of anti-AAPI sentiments. Experts estimate that hate-fueled attacks and other acts of violence against Asians has increased by nearly 150% over the previous year. Our national survey of AAPI businesses last year indicated that 1 in 3 female AAPI business owners experienced racial bias.
These attacks must stop. We must unite as a community to end the fear, discrimination, and bias against our AAPI small businesses.
ABOUT ASIAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP (NATIONAL ACE)
The Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) represents 2.2 Million AAPI small businesses across the country and seeks to improve the economic, political, and social well-being of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) by advocating for AAPI businesses in Washington, D.C., fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs, and promoting the need for wider AAPI leadership in corporate America. ACE strives to do this through supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Visit www.nationalace.org or follow National ACE on LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook for more information.
To learn more about our efforts to combat AAPI hate and racism, visit www.nationalace.org/aapi-strong
CONTACT INFORMATION
Daniel Oliver
Chief Operating Officer
202-774-8740
PDF of our statement is here.