CHICAGO (TIP): Expressing deep concern and anguish about recent attacks against Asian Americans, the American Association of Physicians of India Origin (AAPI) has urged the federal, state and local Governments to make all out efforts to protect them. “AAPI wants to express our deep concern and anguish about the violence the nation has witnessed against people of Asian origin,” AAPI President Dr. Sudhakar Jonnalagadda, stated condemning such incidents. “We at AAPI, the largest ethnic medical organization in the nation, urge the federal, state and local Governments to make all the efforts possible to prevent violence against Asian Americans and all those innocent people around the nation who continue to suffer due to violence, harassment and discrimination.”

“We strongly condemn this ongoing violence. And we want immediate action against the culprits, who have been carrying on these criminal acts,” Jonnalagadda stated.

A coalition tracking reports of racism and discrimination against Asian Americans says it has received at least 3,795 firsthand complaints since last year, AAPI noted. Stop AAPI Hate began tracking violence and harassment against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in March last year.

From then through the end of 2020, Stop AAPI Hate received a total of 3,292 complaints from all 50 states and Washington, DC, according to a Stop AAPI Hate news release.

There were at least 503 anti-Asian hate incidents reported between January 1 and Feb. 28 according to the group’s latest report, released last week.

Quoting the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, Dr. Sajani Shah, Chair of AAPI Board of Trustees, said, “AAPI recognizes that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights and that everyone is entitled to all the rights and freedoms set out therein, without distinction of any kind, in particular as to race, color or national origin.”

“All human beings are equal before the law and are entitled to equal protection of the law against any discrimination and against any incitement to discrimination.”

Recognizing the pain and sufferings of the people impacted by the increasing violence and harassment against Asians and Asians Americans, especially in the past few months, Dr. Anupama Gotimukula, President-Elect of AAPI stressed the need for education.

“We stand in solidarity with peaceful protestors across the nation condemning the increasing violence and harassment against some minority groups,” said Dr. Ravi Kolli, Vice President of AAPI.

“As immigrants to the US, our families may not always understand this history, but we join in solidarity with the minority communities and call for justice and peace.”

“We are saddened by the divisive rhetoric and racial tensions that seem to be getting worse each day. AAPI supports the Bills introduced by two Democratic lawmakers in the House and the Senate calling for the expedited review of hate crimes related to the pandemic,” said Dr. Amit Chakrabarty, Secretary of AAPI.

Rep. Grace Meng of New York, who sponsored the bill in the House, said she hopes the legislation tackles the “disgusting pattern of hate” that Asian Americans are facing since the start of the pandemic.”

“We thank and applaud President Joe Biden for condemning the hate and discrimination that Asian Americans have faced,” said Dr. Satheesh Kathula, Treasurer of AAPI.

“We support his call to do what we all as a nation can do to save lives, working with each other, preventing vicious hate crimes against Asian Americans, who have been attacked, harassed, blamed and scapegoated,”