Dear Marchers,

It’s been just two weeks since our last message of solidarity with our Asian American-Pacific Islander friends. On behalf of the entire Women’s March San Diego team, I write to express our heartfelt grief about the racially motivated tragedy that unfolded in Atlanta last night. May their memories be a blessing to all who loved them.

Yesterday's murders of 8 people, including 6 Asian women in the Atlanta area, highlight the intersection of xenophobia and misogyny that underlie this and similar acts of violence. We acknowledge and condemn this race-based hate and stand with our AAPI siblings who we know have been targeted. This violence follows a wave of racist anti-Asian and Pacific Islander violence and aggression stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Putting pen to paper for this note is especially difficult given that we are in the midst of Women's History month - and history has much to teach and tell us about this type of violence. 

Today, we hold space for the experiences of our colleagues, neighbors, and friends in light of the devastating news still unfolding. If this escalating violence teaches us anything, it’s that we have much to do to combat White supremacy. We must continue to keep our humanity at the forefront as we undertake our work. In this spirit, we invite you to care for yourselves and one another, and particularly to open space for those who are from the AAPI community.

Allies, now is the time to make ourselves known. Tomorrow, Thursday March 18 at 4pm PDT, we will join the Inclusion1stProject.org to have some real talk about allyship. You can register for this free webinar and submit your questions anonymously.

Finally, we want to share a bystander resource developed in response to the rise in Anti-Asian/American and xenophobic harassment by Hollaback! in partnership with the Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC. This free bystander intervention training is designed to meet this moment - perhaps it can be helpful to you or to share with your networks?

Our hearts are with your hearts,

Sarah Bacerra
Interim President
Women’s March San Diego