March 17, 2021
Media Contact:
Mark Miller, Administrator, Office of Public Information, 410-313-2022
ELLICOTT CITY, MD – Howard County Executive Calvin Ball released the following statement on the shootings yesterday in Atlanta targeting Asian-Americans.
“Howard County takes pride as one of the most diverse and inclusive communities across the nation. Our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members have persevered through prejudice and exploitation, all while playing a vital role in our growth, culture, and society. We are extremely disheartened by the violence in Georgia last night, which was targeted toward Asian Americans. Our hearts go out to families of the victims and those who may be suffering in silence.
We wholeheartedly oppose hate bias of any kind towards any of our minority communities, but especially amongst our AAPI community who have been subject to recent hate bias in Howard County and around our nation. We all have a responsibility to ensure that all our residents feel safe, respected, and treated with the dignity that we all deserve. The County’s vision of community is a constant work in progress, which is why workgroups like the AAPI Workgroup were founded.
As President Biden recently said, ‘Hatred against Asian Americans is un-American.’ We must unite to eradicate any hate and create a welcoming community where every person can live their best life. If we want to go far, we must go together and be the change we seek. I stand proudly in support of our AAPI community and encourage every resident to do their part to eliminate any negative bias in their circles.”
Maryland State Senator Clarence Lam also provided a statement on behalf of the Howard County Asian-American and Pacific Islander Workgroup:
“All forms of hate are unacceptable and should not be tolerated by any member of our community. As the only Asian American state legislator in Howard County, I am appalled and disheartened by the rise of hate bias towards the minority members of our community, including those aimed at the Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders. I stand with Howard County Executive Calvin Ball in denouncing any form of hate in our region.
We must listen to the voices of the most vulnerable in our community. This is why it is vital that we highlight and advocate for the issues facing the AAPI community and why I remain steadfast in championing state policies and provisions to reduce and eliminate biases and hate. We must continue the conversations to uplift and unite our community, so we may create a more inclusive county, state, and nation.”