Stop Anti-Asian Violence and Hate

The California Academy of Sciences stands in solidarity with the AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) community and calls for an immediate end to anti-Asian violence, racism, and acts of hate.

The horrifying incidents of anti-Asian violence that have occurred across the United States in recent weeks are yet another heartbreaking example of the deeply unjust and inexcusable racism and discrimination faced by communities of color. Earlier this week, a domestic terrorist in Atlanta targeted Asian-owned businesses in a senseless shooting spree that left eight people dead, six of whom were Asian women. Close to home, cruel attacks on elderly members of the Asian community in San Francisco Chinatown, Oakland Chinatown, and around the Bay Area have resulted in the serious injuries and deaths of innocent members of these vulnerable populations—a direct result of racist rhetoric in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. As our nation works to heal the political and cultural divides intensified by a global pandemic and shocking acts of racism, violence, and social injustice against Black Americans, there is simply no place for these acts of hate in our communities.

Cultural institutions like the Academy have a critical responsibility to provide a safe, educational, and welcoming space for all members of the community. As the Academy reopens our doors once again after a long closure due to COVID-19, we stand firmly against and will not tolerate racism of any kind towards our visitors, staff, and community.

As part of our commitment to racial equity within our institution, we have recently partnered with The Mosaic Collaborative, a dynamic team of diversity consultants who are helping to strengthen and further develop the Academy’s current and future diversity, equity, inclusion, and access efforts and values. This important work is now underway—and we recognize that it must be continuous and ongoing. We are deeply committed to do more to listen, learn from, and uplift the communities in our midst that suffer disproportionately from systemic racism, structural inequality, and environmental injustice—and our efforts to change societal systems must start in our own house. You can learn more about the Academy’s commitment to racial equity and the latest updates on this work here.

The Academy is honored to be part of the vibrant Bay Area community, whose history has been shaped by Asian culture. Diverse communities are stronger, more resilient communities—both in nature and human society.

If you experience or witness a violent hate incident in progress, please call 911. For guidelines and resources on how to respond to and report hate incidents, please visit Stop AAPI Hate's website.