By Donald H. Harrison
SAN DIEGO — Jewish organizations responded with sympathy and solidarity on Wednesday for the families of eight victims murdered Tuesday, March 16, in a shooting spree at several Georgia spas in the Atlanta area. Six of the eight slain were women of Asian descent, according to officials.
Robert Aaron Long, 21, was charged by officials in two counties with eight charges of murder and one of aggravated assault. He said he opened fire on the spas because he has a “sex addiction” and wanted to remove temptation. However, police still were investigating whether the crimes were also racially motivated, and therefore eligible for enhanced penalties as hate crimes.
In response to the shootings, the Jewish Democratic Council of America issued the following statement: “The nexus between white supremacy, guns and violence against women constitutes a national emergency. This act of unspeakable hate in Georgia is the latest in the rise of violent attacks and vitriolic rhetoric targeting Asian Americans. The Jewish Democratic Council of America (JDCA) stands in solidarity and mourning with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in this heartbreaking moment.
“In recent years, white supremacists have been emboldened and fed dangerous lies and conspiracy theories steeped in racism, bigotry, antisemitism and misogyny. Some elected officials, including former President Trump, have fed that bigotry by inciting fear targeting the AAPI community, using slurs and derogatory names when discussing the COVID-19 pandemic. Words have consequences, and we’re outraged that Asian Americans have been targeted as a result.
“As JDCA has repeatedly said – hate doesn’t stop itself; it must be stopped. Today, we call on Congress to pass legislation to bring an end to the conditions that perpetuate violence against women and marginalized communities. As the House votes on the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), we call on the Senate to also pass this bill and immediately and send it to President Biden’s desk. We will continue to stand in solidarity and work to protect our AAPI neighbors and family and urge all Jewish Americans to do the same.”
The Union of Orthodox Congregations of America also issued a statement: “What happened in Atlanta last night was senseless and tragic, and a terrible blow to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community,” it said.
“Since the beginning of the pandemic, almost 4,000 violent crimes and hateful incidents against the AAPI community have been recorded by Stop AAPI Hate. These attacks must stop. Americans of all faiths and ethnicities must join together to do everything we can to put an end to hate and help our neighbors, especially as we work together to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic. The Orthodox Union extends our prayers and sympathy to the families of the victims of these attacks and we stand in solidarity with the AAPI community.”
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Donald H. Harrison is editor of San Diego Jewish World. He may be contacted via donald.harrison@sdjewishworld.com