USW Condemns Atlanta Attacks, Calls for Unity with AAPI Community

Contact: Chelsey Engel, cengel@usw.org, 412-562-1178

The United Steelworkers (USW) union released the following statement mourning the deaths of eight in the March 16 shootings in Atlanta:

“We are appalled and heartbroken by the recent murders of eight people, including six Asian women, in Atlanta.

“Regardless of the motives of this killer, it’s clear that there has been an alarming increase in violence and discrimination against Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) people in recent months and years.

“This is sadly unsurprising. The previous administration espoused xenophobia at every turn and specifically scapegoated Asian Americans to cover for its own inaction and ineptitude that led to widespread misery and loss of life over the past year.

“Words, like actions, have consequences.

“We must all do our part to combat this hatred, an American epidemic of its own for more than a century, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our AAPI siblings.

“An attack on one of us is an attack on us all.”

The USW represents 850,000 workers in metals, mining, pulp and paper, rubber, chemicals, glass, auto supply and the energy-producing industries, along with a growing number of workers in health care, public sector, higher education, tech and service occupations.