Community

AARP Pennsylvania State Director Bill Johnston-Walsh released the following statement in response to newly compiled data showing a spike last year—in some cases by triple digits—in anti-Asian hate crimes in 16 of the nation’s largest cities, including Philadelphia. The March 2 analysis comes from the Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino, based on preliminary police data. The first spikes occurred in March and April 2020, according to the center’s report, coinciding with the rise in COVID-19 cases and negative stereotyping of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community members generally, and Chinese Americans in particular. In addition, the report states that overall hate crimes fell last year, while hate crimes targeting AAPI community members dramatically increased.

View the latest information and articles from AARP Pennsylvania.

Exercise classes, free equipment for all is part of AARP’s 60th-anniversary commemoration, which it’s celebrating by constructing fitness parks in every state, as well as Washington, D.C.; Puerto Rico; and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

We’re writing with an important message to let you know that we have canceled our external events until further notice. While convening events is a core part of our mission, we have changed our approach in light of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

This October, AARP in Philadelphia is sponsoring two street festivals.

Join AARP staff and volunteers as we celebrate Philadelphia's diversity and community at ODUNDE and Pride festivals on Sunday, June 9.

By Cristina Rouvalis

By Hilary Appelman

Tonight, when we tell our grandbabies a bedtime story…don’t tell them a fairy tale. Instead, pass on the stories of real African American heroes…from a man who started a movement with a dream, to a woman who helped put astronauts into space. We celebrate Black History Month by celebrating the real possibilities. Learn more about your dreams and possibilities at aarp.org/blackcommunity.

Heading to the Flower Show? So are we!