Dear Community Leaders, Advocates, and Friends, 

The San Diego Asian Pacific Islander (API) Coalition alongside leaders and members across the API community stand united in our efforts to combat hate, denounce derogatory slurs, and address racism and xenophobia against any and all communities.

The rise in anti-Asian attacks since the COVID-19 pandemic and events like the Atlanta Spa Shooting, Monterey Park, and Half Moon Bay serve as contemporary reminders of how hate speech can lead to xenophobia and acts of violence. We must work to swiftly speak out against them.

As such, we are deeply concerned by the allegations made in the lawsuit against the County of San Diego and the office of Board Chair Nora Vargas.

The allegations are not characteristic of what we know of Chair Vargas and her chief of staff. Chair Vargas has been a champion for marginalized communities including putting out a resolution denouncing xenophobia and anti-Asian racism at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nonetheless, we take the allegations seriously and will be monitoring the legal proceedings closely. Further, should the allegations be substantiated, individuals must be held accountable for their actions. Racist slurs and language against people of Asian descent or any other groups must never be tolerated. This is especially so in any workplace and civic spaces. Elected officials have an even higher responsibility to set the standard of respect and inclusion for all communities.

We urge community members to remain vigilant and committed to reporting acts of discrimination, hate and violence.

Please sign on to support and have your name and/or organization listed. We encourage you to forward to other allies/coalitions as well: bit.ly/apicommunitysupportletter
 
Sincerely,
San Diego API Coalition