Gun violence has affected nearly every Philadelphian and has become a priority issue for nearly every politician and community-based organization alike, as the past few years have seen a spike in the number of shootings and fatalities experienced across the City. Some communities, neighborhoods and ethnic/racial groups, particularly the Black and African-descending community, have been more heavily impacted by systems that foster the conditions for violence. In addition, all neighbors living in underserved neighborhoods and within the vicinity of violence feel deeply the impact of fear and trauma that are byproducts of gun violence, community violence, and ethnic intimidation. We know that generations of systemic oppression, othering, and broken trust stemming from the very foundation of our community on the lands of the Lenni Lenape people has gotten us to where we are now.

Within this narrative, the Southeast Asian immigrant and refugee community has largely been overlooked and ignored, made invisible and voiceless, for much of the history of crime and gun violence in Philadelphia. Along with the COVID-19 pandemic came an increase in Anti-Asian hate, causing community members to not only live in fear of gun violence and crime, but also ethnic intimidation and racially motivated attacks. These conditions build upon over 45 years of similar experiences and discrimination, which have compounded the trauma of each generation of Southeast Asian Americans since the first wave of Cambodian refugees who, fleeing a US-funded war and genocide, sought asylum in US cities like Philadelphia. And, this societal legacy of mistreatment adds to a long history of stereotyping, exclusion, and violence directed against the East Asian immigrant community dating back to the 1800s.

CAGP is committed to being a part of the solution knowing we are one piece of the larger puzzle needed to restore safety to our communities. With our Violence Intervention & Prevention Project, we are dedicated to supporting, amplifying, and empowering our community–Southeast Asian-descended individuals and families–through multi-generational programming, accessible resources, and opportunities to join their voices, stories, and experiences in the work of violence prevention, intervention, and healing. Simultaneously, we want to be a part of the solution within the context of our wider community. We seek to partner with other organizations and ethnic groups who are experiencing the same conditions of fear and danger to envision together how we can make strides towards neighborhoods of resiliency, flourishing, and safety for all, no matter the ethnic background or skin color.