Atlanta Spa Shootings One Year Anniversary

Today we mark one year since the Atlanta spa shootings that resulted in the deaths of eight people – six of whom were Asian women. We mourn them, and all of the AAPI folks who have been victims of vicious hate crimes.  

In the weeks following the shooting, we organized an event to support NAPAWF titled AAPI Women Strong. It was just the beginning of our commitment to uplift AAPI women and girls, make our voices heard, and organize to create a better future and representation for AAPI communities. We were honored to host a powerful night that called on all of us to organize beyond a hashtag. 

One year later, we are reminded that our work still isn’t finished. Just two days before the one year anniversary of the Atlanta spa shooting, an Asian woman was the victim of another violent hate crime. In the last few weeks, there has been yet another spike in violence against Asian women. This continued violence reminds us it is more important than ever to continue our work to fight for the AAPI community. 

Public Wise is honored to continue to work with our partners at NAPAWF, who work every single day to advocate for AAPI women, girls, and voters across the country. NAPAWF’s mission is rooted in creating systemic change to address the discrimination that the AAPI community faces. This advocacy helped lead to a legislative victory this past May, when President Biden signed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to address the drastic spike of hate crimes against AAPI communities.

In the first quarter of 2022, Public Wise granted $150,000 to organizations focused on the AAPI community. Both NAPAWF and APIAVote, a national organization that works to mobilize Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in electoral and civic participation, received unrestricted grants for $75,000. Public Wise has also previously partnered with the Asian American Advocacy Fund and continues discussions with additional organizations focused on building power for AAPI communities for future granting and partnership work.

Today, we hope you will continue to support Public Wise and our partners as we turn our pain into purpose to dismantle the systems of oppression that have allowed AAPI men, women, and children to go unprotected, unheard, and unseen for far too long. 

In solidarity,

Christina Baal-Owens

Executive Director

Public Wise

Public Wise fights to secure a government that reflects the will and protects the rights of the people.