National ACE Statement on the Tragedy in Buffalo

May 16, 2022

Our country is reeling from another senseless, tragic act of violence. On behalf of the entire Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business community, the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) stands beside our Black brothers and sisters as they process yet another unimaginable tragedy. Our hearts go out to the families of the victims, and the community of Buffalo as they mourn the lives taken too soon.

We concur with Reverend Al Sharpton in calling for the Biden-Harris Administration to convene a national task force on hate. We need to bring together representatives from all races, genders, and faiths, to implement systemic changes that target the foundation of white supremacy underlying this violence and exclusion. Since the start of the pandemic, National ACE has been vocal about the instances of reported violence faced by the AAPI community. Some estimates indicate a 300 percent increase in hate motivated crimes against AAPI peoples.

We take this moment to signal our continued support for the Black community in the face of horrific violence. We hope that in our work addressing hate incidents targeting the AAPI community, we, together, are able to accomplish something even greater – safety and equity for all marginalized communities everywhere.