LIHU‘E — The YWCA of Kaua‘i, Meyers & Meyers LLC, a law firm in Lihu‘e, and other community groups and businesses are joining forces this Saturday, April 3 for a “Stop Asian Hate” peaceful demonstration from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Historic County Building.
The demonstration is one of many that being held across the country condemning hate crimes against Asian Americans. The number of demonstrations has increased since the March fatal shooting of eight people at a Georgia massage parlor — six of whom were women of Asian descent. A white man and a white woman also lost their lives that day, and a man of Hispanic descent survived life-threatening wounds.
According to police documents and as reported in the Associated Press, gunman Robert Long told investigators he had a sex addiction and targeted businesses that he saw as symbols of temptation. But, some people believe the victims were targeted because of their race and point out what they say is rising anti-Asian hate across America.
“The YWCA unequivocally denounces the anti-Asian violence and rhetoric that’s been increasing across the country,” YWCA’s Executive Director Renae Hamilton-Cambeilh said. “We are excited to partner with businesses, community groups, and individuals in showing our full support for the Asian/Pacific Islander community and demonstrating that racial bias and hate has no place in our community. There are so many people helping us spread the word.”
The Kaua‘i mayor, an Asian American himself, echoes Hamilton-Cambeilh’s thoughts on racism.
“Discrimination and racism is wrong, period,” Mayor Derek Kawakami said. “Every person at some point in their life has faced discrimination or has been judged unfairly, and at the root of it all – it just hurts. This recent uptick in violence against Asians, and people of color, and other minorities, is something that we as a community have to solve together.”
YWCA USA’s Interim CEO Elisha Rhodes said the Georgia spa shooting is a strong motivator for the organization’s participation in the event.
“While a few details regarding the motive behind the shootings have been released, these murders cannot be separated from the rise in harassment and violence against Asian and Asian American people since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, nor can they be separated from the misogyny that underlies violence against women,” YWCA USA’s Interim CEO Elisha Rhodes said.
The Tsunami Taiko drum group from Kaua‘i will be performing and there will be live muralists performing as well at the rally. YWCA asks everyone that shows up on Saturday, to wear masks and to always practice social distance around others. YWCA will provide some signs, but attendees should bring their own.
•••
Stephanie Shinno, education, business, and community reporter, can be reached at 245-0424 or sshinno@thegardenisland.com.
