Dear campus community,

As our campus and local community continues to feel the impact of the growing number of hateful acts targeting our Asian Pacific Islander Desi Americans (APIDA), I want to share with you a national call to action to stand against racism during the March 26 Virtual National Day of Action and Healing. We are asked to use the official #StopAsianHate hashtag on all social media posts.

Events scheduled on this day were initiated by our very own California Assemblymember Evan Low and New York Congresswoman Grace Meng. Across our country Asian American congressional leaders and civic organizations are joining in as well. On two recent Saturdays, Assemblymember (and SJSU alumnus) Low and APIDA leaders from our own campus have spoken at the downtown San José City Hall rotunda to protest anti-Asian hate with many Spartans and local community members from the region in attendance.

There is a reason why March 26 was selected for the Virtual National Day of Action and Healing. On this day in 1790, the Naturalization Act was signed, a law which limited U.S. citizenship to only “free, White persons.” We must never forget this as a part of our nation’s racist legacy.

Take action with this Day of Action and Healing virtual toolkit.

Register for and attend the Worldwide Vigil , based in Atlanta, which begins at 7:30 p.m. EST / 4:30 p.m. PST.

At San José State University, we believe that it is important to understand that building community means addressing inequities that impact our many communities. We aim to create a welcoming environment for everyone who studies and works here. This national event is an opportunity for members of our campus community to participate in denouncing anti-Asian racism and in healing with a larger community beyond our region on behalf of ourselves, our colleagues, students, friends and neighbors.

Please join me in this Day of Action and Healing. Our actions today will help build the future in which we wish to live. 

Sincerely,

Dr. Mary A. Papazian

President