The COVID-19 pandemic has brought forth increasing xenophobic acts of hatred and aggression against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Since January 2020, there have been over 1,800 reports of anti-Asian discrimination incidents related to COVID-19.*
In an effort to combat these incidents, Vanderbilt University Law School Immigration Research Clinic students worked pro bono to assist in drafting a resolution denouncing anti-Asian sentiment. Vanderbilt Law Librarian Sarah Dunaway played an integral role in drafting an accompanying research guide, which helped mold the resolution, was referenced during the Nashville Metro Council debates, and ultimately helped pass the resolution on July 7.
The research guide serves as a consolidated source of COVID-19 racism-related legislation at both the state and local levels of government. The guide will continue to be updated as more resolutions are introduced and passed nationwide.
*Chinese for Affirmative Action & Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council, Stop AAPI Hate Report: 03.19-5.13.20 (2020), http://www.asianpacificpolicyandplanningcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/Stop-AAPI-Hate-Report_3_19-5_13.pdf.