SAINT PAUL, MINNESOTA — DFL Party Chairman Ken Martin released the following statement denouncing the rise in hate crimes directed at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community:
“Over the last four years, coinciding with the ascent of Donald Trump, the United States has seen a tragic rise in the number of hate crimes taking place across the country.
“This past year, the AAPI community in particular has seen a dramatic increase in racist attacks and hate crimes due to the bigoted dog-whistling some have engaged in to deflect blame for the COVID-19 pandemic and then-President Trump’s mismanagement of it. These attacks and the dog-whistling that helps inspire them has to stop. The AAPI community here in Minnesota does so much each and every day to contribute to the rich tapestry of life in our great state and it is incumbent upon leaders across the political spectrum to speak out against this hate and against this violence.”