State Landmarks to be Lit Purple in Support of AAPI Community
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced New York State Landmarks will be lit in honor of the one year anniversary of the Atlanta Spa Attacks. In support of the Asian American Pacific Islander community, New York State landmarks will be lit purple tonight, March 16. Purple has been chosen to recognize the intersection of harm, mental health, and violence involved in this issue and to bring awareness to the recent increase in hate crimes the AAPI community has faced.
“New York stands in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in the AAPI community, who have faced an unacceptable onslaught of violence and hate in recent years," Governor Hochul said. “I'm proud that New York State has thriving, vibrant and diverse communities of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, and will continue our efforts to ensure every community is safe."
The landmarks to be lit in honor of one-year anniversary of Atlanta Spa Attacks include:
- One World Trade Center
- Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge
- Kosciuszko Bridge
- The H. Carl McCall SUNY Building
- State Education Building
- Alfred E. Smith State Office Building
- Empire State Plaza
- State Fairgrounds - Main Gate and Expo Center
- Niagara Falls
- The "Franklin D. Roosevelt" Mid-Hudson Bridge
- Grand Central Terminal - Pershing Square Viaduct
- Albany International Airport Gateway
- Fairport Lift Bridge over the Erie Canal
CEO of The Asian American Foundation Norman Chen said, “We are grateful to Governor Hochul for ensuring that the lives lost one year ago in the Atlanta-area shootings are honored through commemorative illuminations across the state. Today we stand in solidarity with the family, friends, and loved ones of those who were taken too soon in Georgia, and we also honor the AAPI women across the country who continue to face an extraordinary amount of discrimination, harassment, and violence during this time. It is right that we mourn together today, but tomorrow we must get back to work building a better future for AAPI communities. TAAF hopes to continue partnering with Governor Hochul and leaders throughout the state to curb this crisis of hate and ensure AAPI New Yorkers are better protected, supported and celebrated now and well into the future.”