GA Congresspeople, Others Condemn Spa Shooting, Anti-Asian Hate

ATLANTA, GA — Members of the U.S. House and Senate introduced a bicameral resolution Friday denouncing anti-Asian hate in the wake of the March 16 Atlanta spa shootings.

Georgia U.S. Reps. Carolyn Bourdeaux, Nikema Williams, Lucy McBath and Sen. Raphael Warnock, as well as Rep. Judy Chu of California, chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, led the charge for this resolution, according to a press release.

The resolution states that the House and Senate condemns the "heinous and inexcusable acts of gun violence" that led to the Atlanta spa shootings; condemns "any racism and sexism in the choice of the shooter to target Asian-owned businesses and murder 7 women, 6 of whom were of Asian descent;" and honors the memory of the victims, per the House resolution.

The resolution also states Congress' "commitment to combating hate, bigotry and violence directed at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community," the House resolution reads. The Senate resolution reads the same.

"We must stand against AAPI hate and violence, full stop. I join my colleagues in the Senate and the House in mourning the lives lost in the recent horrific shooting in Atlanta, and condemning the irresponsible and cruel anti-Asian sentiments related to the COVID-19 pandemic that have caused a spike in anti-Asian violence," Warnock said in the press release. "Let me be clear: hate, including hate that hurts and kills members of the Asian-American community, has no place in Georgia — or anywhere in our country."

The resolution is supported by one-third of the U.S. Senate and is cosponsored in the House by more than 100 members.

“People are hurting in the midst of a global pandemic, especially members of our Asian American communities who have experienced intensified anti-Asian discrimination and violence. Everyone has the right to live without fear of being shot or killed in their workplace or public spaces because of their race, ethnicity, or gender.

"The horrific Atlanta spa shootings struck the heart of the Fifth District and the entire Atlanta community. I will always stand up and condemn all forms of violence and bigotry. That is why I am proud to co-sponsor this resolution to stop AAPI hate,” Williams said in the release.