The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission (HRC) is releasing an anti-hate statement following recent attacks on Asian American communities. The full statement is below.
“The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission stands in sorrow and solidarity with the Asian and Asian-American Communities who are facing an escalating series of racist attacks throughout the country; these attacks are unjustified. Asians and Asian-Americans have stood on the front lines with all of our communities to help us heal and face the pandemic in our country.
Everyone deserves to feel safe! Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the places they live, work, study, play, and worship. As Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. stated “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”. These attacks on our Asian and Asian-American communities are a threat to all of our communities everywhere.
The City of Jackson Human Relations Commission condemns violence and hate of all forms, and calls on our City Officials and community leaders to promote safety, respect, and dignity in the City of Jackson. This means investing in services to meet our communities’ needs and in restorative justice to ensure that there is accountability and healing.
We must allocate resources to organizations that have the trust of and strong connections with our most underserved areas of the city to provide human services, health care, and mental health support. All of our efforts must be inclusive and equitable, from economic relief to vaccine distribution.
We the City of Jackson Human Relations Commission stand with our community to confront racism, injustice, and their root causes. We must continue to work together in solidarity with all communities of color including Asian and Asian-American, Immigrant, LGBTQ+ and others to oppose hate crimes and racism within our city.”
The HRC is a volunteer commission made up of Jackson residents appointed by the City Council. It’s mission is to empower and promote a diverse, inclusive, and equitable city. The HRC is responsible for advising and making recommendations to the City Manager and City Council concerning good human relations, combating discrimination within the community wherever it exists, and for acting to promote needed change.