Rev. Cecilia Eggleston, Moderator of the Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, today issued the following statement:
“The murderous attacks in Atlanta and environs this week created extraordinary tragedy for many families and for the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Our entire denomination joins in prayer for all who were directly affected and on all who experience racism around the world.
“We wholeheartedly denounce racism against AAPI persons and, indeed, against any minority group in any country. In particular, the apparent rise in attacks on AAPI persons in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic is appalling, as some assign blame for the pandemic to those of Asian descent.
“I call on all spiritual and religious leaders to join with us in denouncing AAPI discrimination and prejudice, and I call on all governments at all levels to prosecute hate-crime violence to the fullest extent of the law. We stand with AAPI persons in this time of crisis."
