Press Release

The ICHRRF is a nonprofit organization founded on the principles of universal brotherhood and collaboration. We believe that humankind can no longer afford to be selectively vocal about the rights of only a specific set of people. A humane and just world necessitates fair treatment of all living beings. Our focus is on indigenous rights and freedom, free speech and their cultural preservation.

May is the Asian and Pacific Islander American Heritage month in the US. Originating in 1977 as Asian Pacific Heritage week, it evolved into a month-long commemoration in 1992, both times with Congressional support. May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese people to the United States on May 7, 1843 and also to recognize the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 which could not have been possible without the dedication, discipline, and consistent efforts of Asian immigrants. All persons with Asian and Pacific Islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia heritage are celebrated in the month of May.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a crescendo of increasing hate, intolerance, discrimination, blame and lethal violence against the Asian and Pacific American communities for the pandemic. Asian and Pacific Islander Americans have been subjected to the impacts of disinformation campaigns and politicization of the pandemic. In efforts to raise awareness of the attacks, hate, and intolerance against those with Asian and Pacific American heritage, the Stop AAPI Hate campaign was formed (AAPI stands for Asian American and Pacific Islander).

The Commission is proud to recognize and celebrate Asian and Pacific Islander Americans this May. We urge all the communities to call-out harassment, hate and violence against the AAPI community. ICHRRF also urges continued efforts of local, state and federal US government to ensure fair and humane treatment of all residents in the US including the Asians and Pacific Islanders and hold perpetrators of hate crimes accountable in the US.