AARP Texas Statement on Anti-Asian Violence

The AARP Texas Executive Council, a volunteer leadership council that advises and supports the work and strategic direction of AARP Texas, and AARP Texas Director Tina Tran issued the following statement:

“We are filled with sorrow over the rising incidents of violence and xenophobia against Asians, Asian-Americans and people of Asian descent throughout the country. These reprehensible and terrifying acts must stop. “Alarmingly, researchers are reporting a rise in the number of firsthand accounts of verbal and physical assaults, including acts directed at older Asian Americans. These troubling data mean that older Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders not only are facing threats from the coronavirus, but they also face increased violence and harassment, often unprovoked, fueled by prejudice, hatred and xenophobia.

“AARP strongly condemns all racially motivated and other violence and harassment, especially directed towards the elderly and vulnerable communities. As members of the AARP Texas Executive Council, we urge people across Texas and the nation to speak up and stand in unity to prevent future acts of violence.”

The members of the AARP Texas Executive Council are:  
* AARP Texas State President John Vasquez of San Antonio
* Dr. Beverly “Jeanie” Gor of Bellaire (Houston)
* Charlotte McKenzie of Frisco
* Kenny Scudder of Odessa
* Jon Weizenbaum of Austin

For more information about the AARP Texas Executive Council, visit:  https://states.aarp.org/texas/john-vasquez-to-serve-as-aarp-texas-volunteer-state-president