Rep. Vining Condemns Violence Against Asian American Community

Press release from Rep. Vining's Office:

March 21, 2021

On Thursday evening, President Biden addressed the nation and condemned the rise in violence against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, a man in Georgia shot and killed six Asian American women and two other victims. State Representative Robyn Vining (D-Wauwatosa) issued the following statement in response:

“I am devastated by the horrific attacks that took place in Georgia yesterday. The violence striking our Asian American and Pacific Islander neighbors has no place in our country, or our Wisconsin communities. Violence, be it verbal or physical, cannot be tolerated in any circumstance, and we must commit to understanding: violent words beget violent actions. This violence did not evolve in a vacuum. The words of leaders in this country must be used not to dehumanize, but to humanize, not to divide, but to unite. We must acknowledge the brokenness in the world, acknowledge the immense pain that has been caused up until this moment, and work together towards healing.

“Words matter-- how leaders speak matters. Racism is dehumanizing, and there is no space in this time and place for leaders to perpetuate racism, or sidestep our responsibility to speak up and speak out on what is wrong and what is right. We must put an end to this violence against Asian and Pacific Islander Wisconsinites. I stand with President Biden and my fellow elected officials in Wisconsin in condemning this hateful rhetoric, violence, and loss of precious life.”

Rep. Vining represents the 14th Assembly District, which includes parts of Brookfield, Wauwatosa, and Milwaukee. For more information, visit Rep. Vining’s website here.

This press release was produced by Rep. Vining's Office. The views expressed here are the author's own.