We share in heartfelt sorrow over the violent murder of eight (8) people in Georgia, including six (6) Asian women, on March 16, 2021. We stand in strong solidarity with our Asian American colleagues, students and communities. As a union who represents many people who constantly endure violent campaigns by racists and white supremacists, we share your grief and anger in the face of the unjust, inhumane treatment, and murder of our Asian sisters.

We affirm our concern and commitment to stand with Asian Americans, and we refuse to fall for the divide-and-conquer tactics that pit communities of color against each other.

We have worked hard to prioritize anti-racism within our union and institutions and we stand with Asian American communities against all forms of racial prejudice and racist violence. We condemn the efforts by some law enforcement officials and leaders to excuse and justify this horrific violence whenever such violence is committed by White people. This pattern of downplaying and excusing crimes committed by White people against People of Color is a sign of a deeply ingrained and embedded campaign against racial groups of color across the nation and world.

We encourage everyone to join in solidarity, and in action, to decrease racism and to promote racial justice.

In solidarity,

IFO-BLM