Dear friend,

Heartbroken. Enraged.

These emotions weigh heavily on us since the shooting in Atlanta last week that took 8 lives, including 6 Asian women. Hate incidents targeting Asian Americans rose by nearly 150% in 2020, with Asian American women twice as likely to be targeted. The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled and emboldened racism against Asian communities.

It must stop. We must stop it.

Like Oregon Food Bank, we hold people experiencing hunger at the center of all we do. Systemic injustice has ensured that people of color, immigrants, people with disabilities, and LGBTQIA people are more likely to experience food insecurity. At Lift UP, we serve Chinese immigrant communities in downtown and Northwest Portland. We have seen firsthand the discrimination and stereotyping our clients experience. We are responsible for disrupting harassment, intimidation, and violence targeting Portland’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. On an individual level, our Lift UP clients need to trust that they can access food without the threat of violence. Systemically, we must advocate for changes to make our food systems more equitable and to uphold the rights and dignity of the people we serve.

I am heartbroken. I am enraged. I am determined.

You can show your support by taking action.

- Read this statement from the leaders at the APANO and support them and the causes they promote.
- Support the Sanctuary Promise Act. Contact your legislators and ask them to strengthen the protections in Oregon’s Sanctuary Law.
- Contribute to Portland’s Asian Food Pantry.
- Learn more about Oregon’s AAPI history.

Led by people with lived experience, the Racial Equity Support Line is there for Oregonians who have been affected by racism — from microaggressions and violence to immigration struggles and other cross-cultural issues. Dial (503) 575-3764 anytime on weekdays, 10am to 7pm PST.

Gratefully,

Stephanie Barr
Executive Director
Lift UP

Food brings us together.