Statement from Attorney General Phil Weiser regarding the increase in anti-Asian American violence

March 20, 2021 (DENVER)—Attorney General Phil Weiser released the following statement regarding the increase in violence against Asian Americans during the pandemic:

I stand with our Asian American community today after this heartbreaking, hateful act of violence. A crime like this is perpetrated not only on the individual victims but on an entire community. And to be clear, any act of violence against the Asian American community is an attack on our entire community as a nation. We must stand together in solidarity, speaking with one voice to condemn the violence itself and the anti-Asian hate and xenophobia that persist and that have become even more pervasive and toxic during the pandemic. 

Like the Colorado leaders of the past who fought against an earlier incarnation of this same hate—leaders like Minoru Yasui—a new generation that includes members of the Attorney General’s Office team, Nga Vuong Sandoval and Anne Lee, leads us in the fight against today’s mix of stereotypes, hate, xenophobia, and violence. I am proud to stand with them and with you to confront these evils that Asian Americans have faced throughout our country’s history. Our office is committed to working with these leaders and with communities across Colorado to confront rising hate and hate crimes. It is more important than ever for each of us to embrace our responsibility to report hate crimes and hate incidents, to understand and inform others of violence against Asian Americans, to attend bystander training, and of course, I encourage everyone to support AAPI businesses and restaurants. I urge all Coloradans to stand with our Asian American communities, steadfast in our resolution to see hate for what it is, and to confront it.  

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