University of the Pacific President Christopher Callahan Condemns Attacks on Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Mar 19, 2021

Recent hate crimes in California, Atlanta and in other parts of the country aimed at Asians, Asian Americans and the Pacific Islander communities have led to the brutal attacks and murders of innocent people. University of the Pacific grieves those who have been traumatized and mourns the loss of lives, as well as those who continue to live in fear because of these senseless acts.
 
Discrimination and hate crimes targeting Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have no place in civilized society and must be condemned in the strongest terms. We cannot ignore the threats, intimidation, assaults, injuries and deaths that are fueled by discrimination and hatred. We condemn the violence against Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
 
Over the past year, Asians, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have been the victims of increased racism and xenophobia. Stop AAPI Hate, a hate tracker created last year by several Asian American groups, has recorded more than 2,800 incidents of racism and discrimination targeting Asian Americans between March and December 2020. 

Racist and violent behavior against the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities must stop. Scapegoating must stop, harassment must stop and hate must stop. As a civilized society, we are a nation of laws and human rights. We are committed to creating and maintaining an equitable and inclusive climate that is free from harassment and discrimination for all members of our community. Our Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities are vital threads of the Pacific fabric, contributing greatly to enriching our multicultural experience and excellence. Our racial diversity is our strength, and it is crucial that everyone feel safe and supported at Pacific.

University of the Pacific will take swift action against hate crimes on our campuses. We stand in solidarity and will remain resolute in supporting Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander American students, faculty, staff and all members of these communities, and will continue to work to end racism and hate in all forms.  
 
The rise in anti-Asian racism and violence, spurred on by baseless, irrational assumptions and biased leaps of logic cannot and should not be validated. It is a threat to our democratic values and social wellbeing. These cowardly acts cannot be tolerated and add to the urgency of our ongoing work and actions to strengthen diversity, equity and inclusion at University of the Pacific.
 
Discrimination based on stereotypes in not only based on falsehoods, but is harming the foundation of our democracy and our communities. Today and every day, we stand with the Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander communities against all forms of hate and violence. We ask you to stand with us.

We offer these resources for our community:

Support for Students:

Support for Stockton Campus:

  • Public Safety: 209.946.3911
  • Victim Advocate: 209.403.0250, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. After hours: Call CAPS at 209.946.2315, option 2, then option 4
  • Stockton Police Department: 209.937.8377 

Support for Sacramento Campus:

  • Public Safety: 916.739.7200
  • Sacramento Police Department: 916.264.5471

Support for San Francisco Campus:

  • Public Safety: x56411 or 415.929.6411 
  • San Francisco Police Department: 415.553.8090

Other University of the Pacific Resources

Other external resources

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