UNICEF Canada Condemns Anti-Asian Attacks and Discrimination
March 22, 2021
UNICEF Canada is angered and appalled by the recent shootings which left eight people dead, six of whom were Asian women, in Atlanta. While the details of these killings are still forthcoming, our hearts go out to the victims and their families. We recognize and honour the lives of the victims:
- Delaina Ashley Yaun, 33
- Xiaojie Tan, 49
- Daoyou Feng, 44
- Hyun Jung Grant, 51
- Paul Andre Michels, 54
- Yong Ae Yue, 63
- Suncha Kim, 69
- Soon Chung Park, 74
Early in the pandemic, the WHO highlighted that xenophobic language around the COVID-19 virus threatened to further fuel discrimination and hate crimes against people of Asian descent around the world.
In Canada, throughout the course of the pandemic, there has been a marked increase in racism and violence toward Asians and Asian Canadians. According to data from Fight COVID Racism, there have been over 1000 reported incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes across Canada since March 2020.
It is intolerable that any diverse community should experience acts of racism, violence and hatred. As an organization, we denounce these vile acts and stand firmly with our Asian and Asian Canadian friends and colleagues.
There is never a cause for racism or violence. These attacks, and the racism and misogyny that fuels them must stop. We must challenge discrimination and abuse against Asian and Asian Canadian communities and elders, and fight the misinformation that leads to racism and xenophobia.