LEAP's Statement on the 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2021
Media Contacts:
Catt Phan, Communications Manager
LEAP’S STATEMENT ON THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 9/11 ATTACKS
September 11, 2001 shifted the fabric of American society and how our Muslim, Arab, and South Asian (MASA) communities are treated. Twenty years later, the rise of hate crimes and violence against the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community during the COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates the cyclical nature of racism and discrimination. LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics) commends leaders within the MASA diaspora, such as South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT), Shia Association of Bay Area (SABA), Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), and the Sikh Coalition, who have tirelessly advocated for the intrinsic respect and value of all Americans.
“Today, and everyday, we honor the memories of the heroes we lost and the enduring resilience of those who rose to heroism that day. We must amplify the voices of those affected by this tragedy, stand in solidarity with the MASA community, and develop leaders who create and advocate for a more inclusive society for current and future generations,” said Linda Akutagawa, President and CEO of LEAP.
Two decades after these painful attacks, it is of the utmost importance that all leaders re-commit themselves to the principles and values that make this nation of immigrants a beacon of hope and a land that must acknowledge its use of force against indigenous people for generations. LEAP encourages all communities to honor the memory of September 11th through acts of service, intentional introspection and a renewed commitment to uphold the pillars of true leadership for all who need it.
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About LEAP
Established in 1982, LEAP is the leading institution on API leadership development. The organization started with a simple yet powerful idea: that in order for API communities to realize their full potential and to foster robust participation in this increasingly globalized world, these communities would have to begin producing leaders who could advocate and speak on their behalf.