Wilson Sonsini condemns all forms of injustice, including racism, xenophobia, hate, discrimination, and violence targeting specific individuals and groups. We stand in solidarity with members of the Asian community, including our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) colleagues, clients, and friends, as we witness the disturbing rise in xenophobic rhetoric, harassment, and violence against AAPI communities, punctuated most recently by a horrific attack that took place on Tuesday.
That evening, March 16, a man was arrested and accused of shooting and killing eight individuals—including six Asian women—in the Atlanta area after targeting three Asian-run businesses. The deadly attack comes amid escalating anti-Asian racism, hate crimes, and violence.
Many of these incidents—which have not all been widely publicized—have included attacks on the most vulnerable members of the AAPI population. On January 28, Vicha Ratanapakdee, an 84-year-old Thai man, was pushed and killed in San Francisco. On February 3, a 61-year-old Filipino man was slashed across the face in New York. That same day, a 70-year-old Asian woman was assaulted and robbed in Oakland, California. These are not isolated incidents. From March 2020 through February 2021, there were 3,795 racially motivated attacks against members of the AAPI community—68 percent of which were against women—reported to Stop AAPI Hate. According to NYPD data, since the onset of the pandemic, anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 1,900 percent—and that figure would be much higher, but anti-Asian hate incidents are vastly underreported.
Recent xenophobic rhetoric related to the pandemic is only the latest example of shaming and excluding the AAPI community in this country. Our history includes laws specifically banning all Chinese immigrants, laws prohibiting Asian ownership of land, and the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II. This history of oppression is further complicated by the “model minority” myth that highlights the perceived collective success of Asian Americans. This myth can obscure the reality of ongoing anti-Asian racism and further isolate minority communities from each other.
Working with and for the AAPI community has always been a key part of our pro bono efforts. In recent years, the firm represented Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Asian Law Caucus, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – Los Angeles, and the ACLU of Northern California in Asian Americans Advancing Justice v. Alex Padilla, a suit that successfully obtained increased access to language translation assistance for various groups of Asian American voters. Our pro bono program has multiple ongoing immigration matters assisting members of the AAPI community and frequently participates in clinics, such as partnering with the Asian Law Alliance on citizenship workshops.
Last year, the firm announced a new pledge to increase the value of pro bono legal services dedicated to racial justice and civil rights work by $15 million over the course of the next three years ($5 million per year). We plan to meet or exceed this goal, with advocacy on behalf of the AAPI community as a key component.
As we noted in Our Commitment to Community and Change last summer, the awareness, unity, and collaboration that come out of these tragedies can move us forward, but we must be willing to act. We stand steadfast in support of our AAPI colleagues, clients, and friends during this turbulent time, and will continue to provide a safe, diverse, and inclusive workplace for all employees in accordance with our firm’s values.