APABA Statement on the Signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act

Contact:  Arnold Lee, arnoldlee.apaba@gmail.com

Los Angeles, CA - The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Los Angeles County (APABA) released the following statement on the President's signing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act:

"APABA applauds President Joe Biden for signing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, a major step toward combating the ongoing racism, bigotry, and discrimination against the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. APABA thanks the leadership of key Senators, Representatives, and the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus who steered the effort in introducing and passing the legislation.

"The legislation, now law, requires the U.S. Department of Justice to expand public education on hate crime awareness, provide in-language guidance, and dedicate personnel to expedite pandemic hate crime review. It provides grant funding for state-level anti-hate crime programs. It also incorporates the Jabara-Heyer NO HATE Act on hate crime data tracking.

"As we recover from an era of deep divide in our nation, the overwhelming bipartisan support of this pivotal legislation speaks to one thing: we are united against hate. As the President said, 'Hate can be given no safe harbor in America.' APABA looks forward to seeing the law in action in the continuing efforts to heal the nation."