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<p>Whereas: Anti-racism is a key priority and value of the Cambridge Public Schools, Cambridge School Committee, and the City of Cambridge; and </p> <p>Whereas: Twelve percent of the scholars and families in Cambridge Public Schools identify as Asian and Pacific Islander; and </p> <p>Whereas: Two of our elementary schools focus on Mandarin language and Chinese culture; and </p> <p>Whereas: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a flood of anti-Asian racism in the United States, ranging from derogatory slurs, to blaming the outbreak on Chinese people, to violent physical attacks; and </p> <p>Whereas: On September 21, 2020, a coalition of Asian American students submitted an open letter to school educators and superintendents in Boston, Malden and Quincy urging them to address the surge of anti-Asian racism that followed the COVID-19 outbreak; and </p> <p>Whereas: Since the beginning of the pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate has recorded about 2,500 incidents of anti-Asian discrimination across the United States, with 61 such incidents in Massachusetts; and </p> <p>Whereas: Stop AAPI Hate released a report that looks at 341 incidents reported by youth, with 24 involving physical assault. In 56% of these cases, perpetrators employed anti-Chinese hate speech, including blaming China and Chinese as the source of the virus and mocking Chinese dietary habits; and </p> <p>Whereas: As our students return to school, it is important to protect and keep our students safe from racist attacks; now therefore be it</p> <p>RESOLVED: That the School Committee and Superintendent go on record supporting the high school students' open letter requesting leadership to protect Asian American students from this onslaught of racial bullying and abuse; and be it further</p> <p>RESOLVED: That the School Committee and Superintendent go on record supporting and protecting Asian American students from any acts of anti-racism in the Cambridge Public School system.</p>