We Encourage You to Run In Solidarity With the AAPI Community
#StopAsianHateRun
https://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/a35881359/solidarity-runs-aapi-community/
The nation is still reeling after a mass shooting spree in the Atlanta area on Tuesday, March 16 has left eight people dead, including six women of Asian descent. And this is not an isolated event—hate crimes against Asian Americans has risen sharply during the COVID-19 pandemic.
In response, the running community is coming together in solidarity with the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community, and many prominent groups are hosting runs around the country.
To bring the running community together in one place and show the AAPI community support, we encourage you to get out and run this weekend. Any distance works, though we are recommending 3.16 miles to honor the date of those killed on March 16. Additionally, post your runs on social media using these hashtags:
- #StopAsianHateRun (created by the Atlanta coordinators)
- #StopAAPIHate
- #RunforJustice
Also, if you can, donate to AAPI organizations and nonprofits. If you’re wondering where to donate, we have included a list of places to donate below. You can also find useful resources for how to educating yourself and take action below.
Runs Taking Place
Boston — Saturday, March 20 at 12:08 p.m. ET at the Chinatown gate.
Heartbreakers are hosting a second Boston-area run on Saturday, and the distance will be two to eight loops to Boston Commons and back. (Official details here.)
Boston — Saturday, March 20 at 8:30 a.m. ET at the Make Way for Ducklings Statue near Beacon Street and Charles Street in the Boston Public Garden.
Hosted by a local runner. The plan is to walk the perimeter of the park with lit candles (and bring your own candle!).
Atlanta — Saturday, March 20 at 11:30 a.m. ET at Piedmont Park’s 10th Street entrance.
Hosted by the Atlanta Run Club and Social Fitness ATL, this run will cover two to three miles. Atlanta Run Club will contribute $1 to Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Atlanta. (Official details here.)
New York City (Manhattan) — Sunday, March 21 at 10 a.m. ET at Union Square.
The Running to Protest run group is hosting a casual 5K. Runners are asked to mask up and wear a white or black top. (Official details here.)
San Francisco - Sunday, March 21 at 10 a.m. PT at the Japantown Peace Plaza.
The run will be three miles to the Chinatown Dragon’s Gate. (Official details here.)
New York City (Queens) — Sunday, March 28 at 8 a.m. ET at the Flushing Library.
The distance is 2.6 miles. Runners are asked to wear a mask and bring cash to support local businesses. (Official details here)
Places to Donate
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC Inc.)
Founded in 1991, this national nonprofit works to protect civil and human rights for Asian Americans by promoting justice for all Americans, empowering AAPI communities, bringing local and national constituencies together, and ensuring Asian Americans are able to fully participate in democracy.
Asian American Journalists Association
AAJA is a membership nonprofit advancing diversity in newsrooms with members in the United States and Asia, and working to ensure fair and accurate coverage of communities of color.
Asian Pacific Environmental Network (APEN)
Since its founding in 1993, APEN has been empowering low-income Asian Pacific Islander communities to achieve environmental and social justice.
Red Canary Song is a grassroots collective that supports Asian and migrant sex workers across the country, including offering legal help.
This pan-Asian community-based organization works to support low-income Asian immigrants and refugees in New York City. It also pushes for broader racial and economic justice for these communities.
Formed by sex workers, social workers, and legal and health professionals, this organization strives to provide support and education to Asian and migrant sex workers and decrease the risk of violence they face each day.
The Canadian non-profit helps support Asian women who are engaged in sex work.
Koreatown Immigrant Workers Alliance (KIWA)
KIWA provides information on labor laws and assists Korean immigrant workers who have experienced wage theft to advocate for themselves.
A NYC-based organization that started during the pandemic to help the local Chinatown community. Their work has included using funds to buy meals from businesses to give to frontline workers, and is currently offering businesses $5,000 grants they can apply for.
Another group started at the onset of the pandemic. Started by longtime New York City Chinatown resident Karlin Chan, the group of 20 to 30 people patrol the community as a visible deterrent to attackers and offers a friendly face to neighbors. Runner Leland Yu, aslo from Chinatown, is running the NYC Virtual Half to raise money for them on March 22.
Founded at the onset of COVID-19, Heart of Dinner works to fight food insecurity and isolation experienced by Asian-American seniors—two long-standing community issues heightened by the pandemic. Over 1,500 meals have been served in Lower Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens so far. They delivering weekly hot lunches, fresh produce, and bulk ingredients while supporting local small businesses during their COVID-related recovery process.
Resources
Stop AAPI Hate
Hate is a Virus
Anti-Asian Violence Resources
