For Immediate Release
September 30, 2020
NAPABA Condemns White Supremacy and Racist Language
WASHINGTON — On Tuesday night’s presidential debate, President Trump declined to publicly denounce white supremacists and used the term “China plague” to describe COVID-19. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) unequivocally
condemns and rejects white nationalism and white supremacy. As the representative of over 50,000 Asian American and Pacific Islander attorneys (AAPI), NAPABA calls on elected officials to denounce white supremacy and to stop any usage of xenophobic
language.
NAPABA President Bonnie Lee Wolf issued the following statement:
“Since its inception, NAPABA has been at the forefront against oppression, racism, and xenophobia. White supremacy has no place in our country. Our
elected leaders and candidates for public office must strongly speak against white supremacy and stop the usage of inflammatory, racist, and xenophobic language. This includes the usage of racist rhetoric to describe COVID-19 that harms our AAPI
community. Collectively, we are a powerful force and in the face of adversity we must rise above. I implore you to join me in making an individual pledge to stamp out racism and discrimination.”
As an attorney, advocate and ally, I will work to address the inequities within our communities. I choose not to accept these conditions as they exist. I choose to be part of the solution.
I will listen and understand. I will educate myself. I will take actions that will address access and opportunity for all. I will speak out against injustice. I will advocate for change. I will not stop until we forever stamp out racism and discrimination.
Take the Pledge
NAPABA’s policy resolution opposing white supremacy can be found here. NAPABA’s release denouncing the use of racist language to describe COVID-19 can be found here.
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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of approximately 50,000 legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing
civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity of the federal and state judiciaries, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works
to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.
