The Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum is alarmed by the continued increase in violence and hatred directed at Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to ABC News, between March and December of 2020, the organization Stop Asian American and Pacific Islander Hate recorded nearly 3,000 occurrences of anti-Asian incidents in the United States, including verbal harassment and physical assault. Similarly, the New York City Police Department reported a 1,900% increase in anti-Asian hate crimes.

At the Museum, we are dedicated to teaching the history of the Holocaust and advancing human rights to combat prejudice, hatred, and indifference. In March of 2020, we issued a statement denouncing the increase in violent acts against Asian Americans in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. We are dismayed to see that almost a year later, these incidents not only continue, but have increased.

To scapegoat a group of fellow Americans for the transmission of a virus is not only absurd, it is irresponsible. This deadly virus affects us all, no matter our age, race, religion, or ethnicity. We are all in the fight against COVID-19 together.

To learn more about the Dallas Holocaust and Human Rights Museum and its mission, please visit dhhrm.org.

-Mary Pat Higgins, Museums President and CEO
-Mark Zilbermann, Board Chair