Together, we stand with the AAPI community

The Vermont New American Advisory Council (VNAAC) is concerned with the rising hate crimes against our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across the United States, since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic. These hate crimes are verbal, physical, psychological and have a particularly devastating impact on the elderly, women, and children. We condemn any type of hate crime against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and stand in solidarity with our community members here in Vermont.

We, at VNAAC, condemn any form of oppression, discrimination, and racism. Our mission at VNAAC is to increase civic engagement, dismantle barriers to a sense of belonging, and expand opportunities for New American communities to thrive socially, culturally, and economically in Vermont. We feel and understand the fear and pain experienced by our AAPI friends, family, and neighbors. We strongly denounce any language or rhetoric which aims to alienate, blame, or otherwise mean to harm members of our AAPI community.

The Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders participate meaningfully to the greatness of our Green Mountain State. Available data from the City of Burlington’s 2019 Equity Report found that Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders represent 6.3 percent of the Burlington demographic. They are the second-largest after whites demographic. Above all, they are business owners, professionals, entrepreneurs, neighbors, and coworkers, and they contribute to our cities and state’s cultural and religious fabric.

We call upon all Vermonters to make this commitment and set an example for America. The AAPI community deserves our commitment as a state or nation to treat them with dignity and respect. We must protect and make them feel safe again in all spaces across this nation like we used to prior to the pandemic.

Please send us an Email: Info@vnaac.org for more information about VNAAC and upcoming activities on Asian History Month in May 2021.