Planned Parenthood Stands in Solidarity with APIA Community Against Racism and Violence

WASHINGTON, DC — In a horrific act of hate and racism last week, eight people were killed in the Atlanta area, including six Asian American women. This mass shooting came as attacks on Asian Americans nationwide continue to rise — fueled by the United States’ long history of white supremacy, systemic racism, and gender-based violence. 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America stands in solidarity with the Asian and Pacific Islander American (APIA) community and will work in allyship with the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF) and other APIA leaders to both seek justice for the victims of this attack and address the systemic racism and white supremacy that continue to plague this nation.

Statement from Alexis McGill Johnson, president & CEO, Planned Parenthood Federation of America: 

“We continue to mourn for those murdered in Georgia last week, but we must do much more. We must confront systemic racism in all forms and be a part of the work to end the horrific harm that the APIA community continues to endure. Last week’s attacks were a part of our nation’s deep-rooted history of xenophobia and racism against Asian Americans. This anti-Asian hate and violence has also disproportionately impacted women, due to a toxic combination of racism and misogyny. Planned Parenthood is committed to building communities where everyone feels safe, no matter who they are, where they live, or how they identify. We will follow the lead of APIA leaders and organizations to help build them.”

Statement from Staci Fox, president & CEO, Planned Parenthood Southeast:

“First, we must call this tragedy what it is: an act of white supremacy and racist violence. Plain and simple. As we mourn the loss of eight Georgians, we must also acknowledge the anti-Asian rhetoric and racism that contributed to this and other attacks on Asian Americans across the country. We stand in solidarity with the Asian and Asian American communities and we commit to stand up to racism wherever we see it, and work to build the safe, inclusive communities we all deserve.” 

The violence against members of the APIA community is part of a larger system of racism against all communities of color, including Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities. The hatred and violence faced by the APIA community has escalated during the COVID-19 pandemic, heightened by former President Trump's deliberate choice to inaccurately shirk responsibility for the virus’ consequences and to demonize people of Asian descent.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America stands with NAPAWF in calling on the federal government, state, and local communities to respond to incidents of APIA hate in an intersectional way that centers the needs of Asian American women and elders. True aid, community support, and government support must flow to those who need it most. If you would like to join this call to action, please sign this NAPAWF petition.

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Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. With more than 600 health centers across the country, Planned Parenthood organizations serve all patients with care and compassion, with respect and without judgment. Through health centers, programs in schools and communities, and online resources, Planned Parenthood is a trusted source of reliable health information that allows people to make informed health decisions. We do all this because we care passionately about helping people lead healthier lives.