Port of Seattle Commissioner Sam Cho and Executive Director Steve Metruck released the following statement today in response to ongoing racist attacks against Asians and Asian Americans.
“We represent an organization formed on the promise of global connectivity as a path to greater possibilities. As a gateway to the Pacific Northwest, we strive to create a welcoming and safe environment for people of all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds.
“Attacks against Asians are not new in America, but they have escalated at an alarming rate in the last year. While the coronavirus has affected every community around the world, the early focus on China’s Wuhan province led to Asian and Asian American communities facing blame and being targeted, with physical attacks and severe economic retribution.
“Last year, the Commission passed a proclamation condemning Anti-Asian racism. Today, yet again, we condemn the acts of violence towards Asians Americans. Racism and hate have no place at the Port of Seattle and will not be tolerated.
“In recent years, the Port of Seattle has doubled down on a commitment to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive. Given the diversity of our workforce, our business partners, and the communities in which the Port of Seattle operates, we hold a unique position to speak out on this issue. Last year the Port launched an organizational-wide assessment to take a hard look at ourselves and formally analyze where our own practices and policies maintain structural racism or discrimination. This work makes the Port a more responsive and adaptable organization by drawing in greater and more meaningful participation from our entire community. We look forward to sharing the results of this assessment with our Port community and workforce later this year.
“Today and every day we send a message to our Asian and Asian American partners that we stand against individual and institutional racism. We value and are honored by the relationships that we have built over time. This Port would not be what it is today without the steadfast partnership and vision of our Asian and Asian American partners. We have relied upon you as we built this organization for the benefit of Washington state. We stand with you today.”
March 12, 2021, Virtual Rally Against Asian Hate
RSVP for March 12, 2021, Virtual Rally Against Asian Hate
March 2021 AAPI Anti-Hate and Bias Events Flier
Contact
Peter McGraw | Media Officer
(206) 787-3446 | mcgraw.p@portseattle.org
