Friday, March 19, 2021 – We condemn hate crimes targeting Asian-Americans, including the recent attack in Atlanta killing 8 people. Hate and racism have no place in river conservation or water advocacy. They prevent our forward progress toward a future where everyone has access to healthy rivers and clean water and diminish the effectiveness of our democracy.  Our work and our society are stronger when we intentionally and thoughtfully create spaces of equity, inclusion, and belonging.   

Since last March, there have been, nearly 3,800 reported anti-Asian hate incidents majority of which were directed toward women. The escalation of racist violence against Asian Americans since the beginning of the pandemic underscores, once again, why we must condemn and dismantle white supremacy and racism in our communities and organizations. We encourage everyone in our community to use your voice and your platforms to call attention to the suffering and lasting trauma these acts are causing to our members, volunteers, donors, and program participants.  

If we want a society free of racism, it will require everyone, including organizations like River Network, to take action and hold ourselves and others accountable. Education and action are fundamental pieces of this work. River Network encourages our partners – both individuals and organizations – to challenge the ways in which racism, inequality, and privilege intersect with our work and to intentionally and thoughtfully create spaces of equity, inclusion, and belonging.   

Additionally, please consider financially supporting organizations combating anti-Asian violence. Organizations such as The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), Asian Americans Advancing Justice, and Stop AAPI Hate, are collecting the stories and providing much needed physical and psychological safe spaces for victims. The Atlanta chapter of Asian Americans Advancing Justice has created a donation page to support the victims and their families impacted by the shootings.   

If you’re looking to learn more about how racism and inequality intersect with conservation work, River Network has compiled this list of useful resources. In particular, our staff has found the Anti-Racism Daily Newsletter a helpful resource, including this recent issue Address anti-Asian hate crimes.