Dear Friends,
As I write to you, I am worried for our country and with a very heavy heart. People are scared and angry. George Floyd’s death has sparked wide protests but these peaceful demonstrations have been mixed with violence, riots and clashes with the police. Reports and videos of his death are gruesome, and I feel so sorry for Mr. Floyd, his family, friends and the African American community.
I understand and support any American’s right to protest, peacefully. Systemic racial injustices fueled the demonstrations in Minneapolis and around the country this past weekend and last night, destroying the properties of working class innocent Americans, causing bodily injuries to folks who had nothing to do with Mr. Lloyd’s death as America watched on TV hundreds and thousands of miles away here at home and abroad.
On top of that, in the midst of an unprecedented global pandemic crisis, Asians and Asian Americans are treated with prejudice and humiliation as the scapegoat for the Coronavirus. Communities are hurting because of racism and ignorance on many levels against different races now, and Americans demonstrating want their voices to be heard. We must listen to them. We must listen to the families of the victims, our fellow Americans who are pleading for justice and also for peace.
Now is the time for peaceful demonstration, tolerance and grieving. More violence is not the answer.
In friendship,
Susan Au Allen
National President & CEO
