STATEMENT: Honoring AAPI Heritage Month

Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) celebrates the historical past and achievements of our nation’s Asian, Asian American, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) group members. America is blessed by their contributions to the humanities, legislation, science and expertise, sports activities and public service – particularly in front-line roles as well being care suppliers, first responders, academics, and different important staff.

LIRS is proud to have provided a heat welcome and agency footing to hundreds of AAPI refugees over our 80-year historical past. From Vietnamese folks looking for safety after the autumn of Saigon, to ethnic Rohingya and Chin households fleeing spiritual persecution in Myanmar, to these displaced by struggle in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Syria, we’re moved by the resilience, braveness, and fortitude these newcomers supply our nation.

LIRS additionally stands in solidarity with AAPI group members as they face a horrific rise in hate crimes, violence, and prejudice. We strongly condemn racism and white supremacy in all its types and pray for peace and justice.

At LIRS, our work is rooted in religion and perception within the inherent dignity of all folks, representing all races, ethnicities, genders, spiritual beliefs, sexual orientations, financial statuses, and international locations of origin. All of us ought to be capable of really feel secure whereas strolling down the road, and these latest acts of violence – coupled with generations of anti-AAPI prejudice and institutional racism – are a devastating reminder that our work is way from over.

We pray for the AAPI group and people with hatred of their hearts, however prayer is incomplete with out motion. We commit, too, to advancing the rights of AAPI folks, notably immigrants and refugees, and centering the AAPI perspective.

“I offer you a brand new commandment, that you just love each other. Simply as I’ve beloved you, you additionally ought to love each other.”

John 13:34