The achievements and contributions of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) have left an indelible and vitally important mark on the history, culture, and communities of the United States. At the National Trust for Historic Preservation, we celebrate and protect places that tell the full American story, including the stories of APIA heritage, and we denounce in the strongest possible terms the recent acts of race-based hatred, violence, and the vicious spread of misinformation.

Race-based violence against APIA communities is escalating in our country, with at least 3,800 reported incidents in the past year, including the deadly shootings of six women of Asian descent in Atlanta last week. Violence and alienation directed towards APIA communities is not new. It is the result of false notions of white supremacy and is deeply entangled with discrimination against other peoples of color and immigrant groups.

The stories of APIA individuals and communities are vividly told through historic places across the United States, including the ways in which Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have overcome racism and have strengthened our country. The National Trust is dedicated to the preservation and interpretation of historic places that are defined by truth-telling and inclusivity and acknowledges that we have an obligation to confront and address structural racism in our work. We stand together with Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, and urge every American to condemn hatred, violence, and racism in all of their forms.