A diverse group of Asian American organizations representing a wide range of political stripes called on city and state leaders in New York to prioritize the recovery of their neighborhoods.
“While AAPI neighborhoods were the first to suffer, we will not be the last to recover,” the joint statement said.
The group of 30 organizations ranging from the Chen Dance Center to Desi Rising Up to the Korean American Family Service Center released the statement Monday.
They called for worker and economic security, the inclusion of community based organizations on the recovery task force, the support of small business by declaring Asian neighborhoods economic disaster zones, the extension of the eviction moratorium, free COVID-19 testing for all and bilingual assistance.
The group says Asian American represent 15 percent of the city of New York and 10 percent of the state. Asians have the highest poverty rate in New York City, yet the community gets only 1.5% of the city’s human services contract dollars.
LATEST STORIES
“Unemployment claims by AAPIs have spiked 6,900%, by far the largest percentage increase experienced by any racial group,” the groups went on to say. “AAPI community members continue to report increased incidents of public assaults, harassment, and hate crimes. Despite these challenges, AAPIs are serving on the front lines, risking their own health as doctors, nurses, human services workers, early childhood teachers, grocers, delivery workers, and more.”
You can read the list of organizations who signed on to the statement here.
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff, or submitting a story.
