Statement of Support and Solidarity for Asian and East Asian Communities

To Asian and East Asian members of our community, especially Asian and East Asian women, our hearts and thoughts are with you as we all mourn the deaths of 8 people, 6 of which were Asian women.

This violent attack against East Asian women is rooted in anti-Asian racism. Anti-Asian racism is one expression of white supremacy and the racist structures, institutions and society that we are all part of. This has become even more apparent this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic where the number of anti-Asian hate incidents have dramatically increased across the U.S.A. and Canada.

The specific targeting of these women is also a reminder of the discrimination that women sex workers, persons living in poverty and immigrants face and how this intersection manifests itself into violence, hate and death. This incident urges us to combat all forms of systemic oppression that facilitates lateral and vertical acts of violence. Our hearts and thoughts are with the Asian and East Asian folks at McMaster and beyond, in particular the families of the victims.

Community members seeking support may contact: