Detroit Mercy statement on Atlanta attacks

This week’s fatal shootings of eight people in the Atlanta area, six of whom were Asian American women and a Caucasian male and female, was another tragic and unnecessary loss of human life in this country. 

As a Jesuit and Mercy university committed to social justice for nearly a century and a half, Detroit Mercy deplores these horrific acts of violence, mourns the passing of the victims and prays for them and their families who are coping with their untimely death. Violence of any kind is unacceptable and violence directed to specific groups, such as Asian Americans, is intolerable. Over the past year,  racially motivated violence toward Asian, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities during the pandemic has risen dramatically as noted by  Stop AAPI Hate, which recently released a report documenting more than 3,000 hate incidents. As a community of faith, I hope you will not be silent but instead express your rejection and disapproval of hate and these offensive incidents. 

If you need support or wish to speak to a professional regarding the services available to you, please visit our Wellness Center.   

Sincerely,
Antoine M. Garibaldi
President