WASHINGTON - In response to the grand jury decision in the Michael Brown shooting, Miriam Yeung, executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), released the following statement:“We are profoundly saddened and outraged by the St. Louis County grand jury's decision. The failure to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown, an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, is a national travesty. As an organization that builds a movement daily to advance social justice, this is an extremely painful moment to bear, as justice was not served.
"As an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women's organization that works relentlessly to dismantle the systemic layers of racism, discrimination, and injustice that AAPI women face on a constant basis, this decision feels like a big slap across our face. We cannot allow and will not permit this system built on fear to be a deterrent to us in this fight for justice. NAPAWF stands in solidarity with those in the street demanding accountability and justice for Ferguson and the African-American community.
“We strongly urge the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate racial profiling, police brutality, excessive force, and officer-involved shooting policies and practices in the Ferguson Police Department. As a community, we cannot heal until justice is served, and we are going to continue demanding for answers and hold our leaders accountable."
The National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF) is the only national, multiissue Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women's organization in the country. NAPAWF's mission is to build a movement to advance social justice and human rights for AAPI women and girls.