G20 Interfaith Forum continues Its Anti-Racism Initiative with an online webinar with leaders focusing on combatting Asian hate and overcoming discrimination.

WASHINGTON, DC, USA, June 9, 2021 /EINPresswire.com/ -- President Joe Biden’s newly appointed Deputy Assistant, Erika Moritsugu, will address anti-Asian hate and discrimination in an upcoming public webinar hosted by the G20 Interfaith Forum Association (IF20). Moritsugu, along with five other distinguished leaders, will present at 11:00 am EDT on June 10, 2021. This webinar is one of the many actions IF20 is taking as part of its Anti-Racism Initiative. The official theme for the webinar will be: “Responses to Anti-Asian Hate Crimes.”

Moritsugu was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden in April 2021 to serve as Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American (AA) and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) Senior Liaison. She supports the Administration on a wide array of priorities and engages with AA and NHPI communities and leaders through a whole-of-government approach to racial justice.

“Across our nation, an outpouring of grief and outrage continues at the horrific violence and xenophobia perpetrated against Asian American communities, especially Asian American women and girls,” Moritsugu said. “As President Biden said during his first prime time address, anti-Asian violence and xenophobia is wrong, it’s un-American, and it must stop.”

Other featured speakers include:
• Grace Meng, U.S. Congresswoman representing the 6th Congressional District of New York in the United States House of Representatives
• Jacinta S. Ma, Director of the Office of Communications and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
• David Chiu, California Assemblymember representing the 17th Assembly District of the State of California (San Francisco)
• Carl Chan, President of the Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, Community Activist, Crime Victim
• Audrey Kitagawa, Moderator, Chair of the G20 Interfaith Anti-Racism Initiative

These speakers each work in their respective fields to create a society of welcoming and belonging for all people. The webinar will provide a platform for mutual discussion and learning—recognizing what Asian-Americans have experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“For more than a year, Asian Americans have been fighting two viruses: the COVID-19 pandemic and anti-Asian hate,” said U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng. “The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that I introduced with Senator Mazie Hirono was signed into law last month by President Biden, and it will go a long way towards combatting this rise in xenophobia and racist attacks.”

“In order to recover from and repair the harm to our communities, we need to share our experiences with each other and with those outside of our community,” Assemblymember David Chiu said. “Confronting these awful incidents head-on strengthens us and chips away at the ignorance, fear and racism that has spurred these acts of hate.”

“What I want to make sure everyone understands, when things happen to you, be calm and understand how to protect yourself as much as you can,” Carl Chan of the OCCC stated. “I had to stand strong. I cannot be allowing myself to be a victim, or other people to become victims of crime. So that is the reason why I have to speak out.”

“A strong, successful society is built on ensuring people feel welcome and recognized for their contributions,” added Jacinta Ma of the EEOC. “Violence, harassment, and discrimination because someone is or is perceived to be of Asian descent must not be tolerated. Governments, leaders, and individuals all have a role to play in addressing anti-Asian violence.”

IF20 recognizes the importance of protecting human rights for all in today’s global community, and is committed to doing its part to combat racism in all forms through its Anti-Racism Initiative. The Initiative assumes explicit responsibility to work towards the eradication of racism within both the IF20 and the G20 agendas; and to advance the goal of racial equality and equity by every means available. IF20 commits to honoring the universal principle enshrined in various forms in all religious and spiritual traditions, further affirmed in principle by secularists and humanists: “do unto others as you would have others do unto you.”

About the G20 Process

The Group of Twenty, or G20, is the premier forum for international economic cooperation, bringing together the leaders of Earth’s most prosperous economies. Collectively, G20 members represent around 80 percent of the world’s economic output, two-thirds of the global population and three-quarters of international trade. Throughout the year, representatives from G20 countries gather to discuss financial and socioeconomic issues as well as broader humanitarian issues targeted by the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

About the G20 Interfaith Forum

The G20 Interfaith Forum seeks global solutions by collaborating with religious thought leaders and political representatives to help shape the overall G20 agenda. It draws on the vital roles that religious institutions and beliefs play in world affairs, reflecting a rich diversity of institutions, ideas, and values. Through its extensive network of networks, it helps prioritize key global policy goals and point toward practical means of implementation at every level of society.

For more information, please visit www.g20interfaith.org.

W. Cole Durham Jr.
G20 Interfaith Forum
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