ASGCT Statement of Support for the Asian, Asian-American and Pacific Islander Communities

There has been an increase in racist and xenophobic rhetoric and violence this past year against people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent (AAPI) who are wrongfully blamed for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The mass murder of members of the AAPI community in Atlanta is a horrific instance of this racist behavior and must not be tolerated. Viruses do not originate from, nor are they spread by, specific racial or ethnic groups. As a scientific organization, we are committed to combating this fear and racism through our education and advocacy efforts.

This attack represents an escalation of the recent and historic anti-AAPI attacks and is deeply rooted in the historical legacy of racializing infectious diseases as an instrument of hatred against People of Color. ASGCT recognizes the toll that this prejudice has had on the AAPI community and is committed to supporting our AAPI membership.

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