Choose Clean Water Coalition Statement on Violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

(ANNAPOLIS, MD)—The Choose Clean Water Coalition joins organizations and individuals across the country in condemning the recent rise in violence against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the United States. We reiterate our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice in order to create a safe and healthy and environment for all people living in the Bay watershed. We remain dedicated to reflecting on what our Coalition can do to address internal biases and racism, and seek to cultivate a more inclusive and equitable movement throughout the Bay watershed in our pursuit of clean water. This senseless violence rooted in white supremacy has no place in our democracy, and we encourage our members to pursue the following action items in solidarity with AAPI communities:

Here Is What You Can Do Right Now:

1. Start with yourself. Do your own internal reflection and assessment with an implicit bias test.

2. Provide your AAPI staff and people of color with additional resources and support. Offer flexible and/or additional time off, resources, counseling, etc. Whatever they need.

3. Register for a FREE Bystander Intervention Training to Stop Anti-Asian/American and Xenophobic Harassment Training.

4. Provide staff with anti-racist resources, like this one. You will find a list of groups, journalists, and authors to follow as well as a list of where to donate to support AAPI communities.

5. If staff are emotionally ready, create a voluntary safe space for discussion on one of the resources above or the events of recent weeks.

6. Do not place the burden of learning and discussion on AAPI staff. Do your homework and your own research to expand your knowledge.

7. Create and send out a culture audit of your organization using this guide.

Call To Action:

1. Make a personal donation. Find a list of opportunities here.

2. Patronize AAPI-owned businesses and restaurants in your area.

3. Write to your elected officials about actions that you want them to take to dismantle systemic racism.

4. Make sure you are registered to vote.