Charter Public Schools Community to Participate in #STOPASIANHATE Virtual National Day of Action and Healing on Friday, March 26
LOS ANGELES, CA – The California Charter Schools Association (CCSA) announced today it is supporting state and federal legislation to combat acts of violence and hate crimes against Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities and is calling on the charter public school community to participate in the March 26 #STOPASIANHATE Virtual National Day of Action and Healing led by California Rep. Judy Chu (D-27) and Asm. Evan Low (D-Silicon Valley).
“Today, we stand with state and federal legislators in support of policies that dedicate funding to enhance reporting and support restorative justice and victim compensation programs. We must stop these despicable acts of discrimination against the AAPI community, especially as kids return to schools – parents are afraid and kids are afraid,” said CCSA President and CEO Myrna Castrejón. “We must channel our grief and anger towards this violence into action. I call on our charter community to stand in solidarity with the AAPI community and participate in this week’s National Day of Action to #STOPASIANHATE. We must send a message that violence will not be tolerated and that we stand against any form of discrimination. We are one community.”
“On behalf of the California API Legislative Caucus, we welcome the collective voice of charter school educators and families in helping us raise public consciousness and advance policies that will stamp out acts of hate against our community and all communities once and for all,” said Assemblymember Low, who serves as Vice Chair of the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC).
On the federal level, CCSA supports the passage of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and the No Hate Act. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act would require the Department of Justice to facilitate fast reviews of federal, state and local COVID-19 hate crimes and has been endorsed by President Biden. The No Hate Act would provide incentives for hate crime reporting, grants for State-run hate crime hotlines, and establish alternative sentencing aimed at rehabilitating individuals convicted under the Matthew Shephard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act.
CCSA also supports the package of legislation which has been introduced in the California State Assembly by the APILC which include:
- HR 23 (Low)
Resolved that the Assembly denounces hate crimes, hateful rhetoric and hateful acts against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs).
- AB 85 (Ting)
Approved $1.4 million in state funding to help address the surge of hate and xenophobia directed toward Asian Americans through data collection and research at UCLA.
- AB 557 (Muratsuchi, Chiu)
Requires the California Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a toll-free hotline and online reporting system to report hate crimes and hate incidents.
- AB 886 (Bonta)
Funds community-based organizations that facilitate services for victims of hate violence and restorative justice programs. The bill also allows victims of hate violence greater access to victim compensation funds.
CCSA is joining the #STOPASIANHATE Virtual National Day of Action and Healing to condemn these criminal acts of hatred. As part of the day of action, individuals and organizations are encouraged to issue statements of support along with #STOPASIANHATE on Friday, March 26, 2021. CCSA is encouraging all member charter public schools to participate in this day of action and will provide more information directly to its members.