Some associations have issued statements condemning violence against Asian Americans following a series of shootings last week in Atlanta. Eight people were killed, including six women of Asian descent.

Attacks against Asian Americans reportedly rose in 2020 along with rhetoric blaming China for COVID-19. While the shootings don't appear to be related to that belief, they do mark an escalation of what many see as a disturbing pattern.

"It is clear that the historic and contemporary discrimination and violence against Asians in America are deeply rooted in anti-Asian racism," the American Sociological Association said in a statement. "Yet, anti-Asian racism is too frequently rendered invisible."

In a statement released the same day as the shootings, the National Association for College Admission Counseling condemned what it said was a growing incidence of racism and violence against Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander students and college staff during the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We stand by our students and colleagues who are Asian, Asian American, or Pacific Islanders, and against all acts of violence and hate, and we urge our fellow citizens to do the same," the group said.

American Medical Association President Susan Bailey said her organization was angered and appalled" by the shootings.

"Early in the pandemic, the AMA highlighted that xenophobic language around the virus threatened to further fuel discrimination and hate crimes against Asian Americans, which were already a significant concern due to longstanding interpersonal and structural racism," she said.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Association CEO Kim Keck said it was "devastating that the more vulnerable populations are being targeted—youth, elderly and women are experiencing the brunt of the attacks.

"Racist attacks cannot be tolerated and must be stopped," she said.

Several groups involved in teaching math, including the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics and Association of State Supervisors of Mathematics, issued a joint statement: "As a collective of mathematics education organizations, we are committed to social justice. … As educators, we need to work collectively and with intention to stop anti-Asian racism along with any other racism and discrimination in our schools and communities."

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