WASHINGTON: As part of endeavors to underscore "National Day of Action and Healing" on Friday, 26 U.S. governors released a joint statement condemning violence against Asian Americans which has been on the rise since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic a year ago.

"What is taking place to Asian-Americans is simply un-American. We condemn racism, violence and hatred against our AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) communities, and we must do more to protect, lift up, and support the Asian American community," Xinhua news agency quoted the statement issued on Friday as saying.  The move came in the wake of shootings at three Asian-run spas in Atlanta, Georgia, earlier this month.

"The tragic loss of loved ones in Atlanta that left eight people dead, including six Asian=Americans, is part of a long and painful litany of acts of hate against Asian Americans across the community," said the statement. The statement was signed by two Republican governors and their 24 Democratic counterparts including Governor Lourdes Leon Guerrero of the territory of Guam.

As per the Stop AAPI Hate, a California-based non-profit social organization tracking incidents of violence against Asian-Americans and Pacific Islanders, it received nearly 3,800 reports of attack or abuse against people of Asian descent between March 2020 to February 2021.

Joe Biden Invites 40 World Leaders including Indian PM Modi to Leaders Summit

Joe Biden nominates Indian American Seema Nanda as Labour Department solicitor

NASA Increases Investment upto USD45 Million in US Small biz