WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar met with Minnesota State Representative Samantha Vang; Hmong American Partnership Director of Program Strategies Hli Xjooj, Interim Chief Operating Officer Dr. Mai Mua, and Interim Executive Director Jodie Tanaka; Alliance of Minnesota Chinese Organizations President Bingwen Yan; Asian Women United Executive Director Claudia Waring; and Century Plaza Owner Gloria Wong via Zoom to discuss the recent surge of hate crimes against members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community and the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act.

“The attack in Georgia was horrifying and heartbreaking. The eight victims of this attack, six of whom were women of Asian descent, must never be forgotten. As Keisha Lance Bottoms, the mayor of Atlanta, said: ‘this is a crime against all of us.’ While there is still a lot we don’t know, it’s clear that this attack followed a year of increasing harassment and violence against the Asian American community. And when people inflict fear on one community in Minnesota, they inflict fear on all of us. 

“There have been 42 documented incidents of anti-Asian bias in our state over the past year. And that number just represents what has actually been reported. It is really important, as we have done so many times in Minnesota, that we stand together to denounce hate and take action. 

“This means we have to make progress in our efforts to combat hate crimes, including advancing legislation I am cosponsoring with my friend, Senator Mazie Hirono, to require the Department of Justice to invest the resources needed to fully investigate pandemic-related hate crimes against Asian Americans. 

“To live up to our values, we must do everything in our power to combat hatred and violence fueled by bigotry. We also know that easy access to guns can make hate deadly. That’s why we need to pass laws that ensure firearms don’t fall into the hands of people who should not have them. Congress can protect the Asian American community and all women by passing the Violence Against Women Act, which includes my bill to close to the boyfriend loophole once and for all. 

“While your organizations are working to elevate these issues and offer support to Asian American communities, I will be your partner in Washington—combating this alarming rise in attacks on people of Asian descent.”

# # #