The ADL thanks Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Houston City Council Member Abbie Kamin, and the rest of Houston’s City Council for signing a letter denouncing hate and the disproportionate impact of Coronavirus, and calling on all residents to treat each other with respect.

The letter, which in no way limits freedom of speech, was introduced by Council Member Kamin and prompted by a rise in anti-Asian hate, antisemitism, racism and discrimination across the country. It notes that hate incidents and crimes are rising as the Asian and Pacific Islander community, Jews, Muslims and immigrants are being blamed for the outbreak and spread of COVID-19. The letter draws attention to the disproportionate impact of the virus on marginalized communities. For instance, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) COVID-19 Data Tracker (Tracker) says 32.3% of cases and 17.2% of deaths are in the Hispanic/Latino community, while Hispanics/Latinos make up only 16.7% of the U.S. population; and the Tracker says 19.9% of cases and 22.2% of deaths have occurred in the Black non-Hispanic community, while Black non-Hispanics account for only 12.7% of the U.S. population. The letter also highlights that COVID-19 is a health issue, not a racial, religious or ethnic one, and stigmatizing specific communities for the disease creates an inexcusable risk to all community members.

The letter denounces antisemitism, anti-Asian bigotry, and hateful rhetoric against the Asian and Pacific Islander, Jewish immigrant and other communities, and affirms the city’s commitment to the safety and well-being of all community members and to curbing hateful acts. It also encourages people to report incidents to the proper authorities and agencies for investigation.

“We appreciate Mayor Turner, Council Member Kamin, and all of Houston’s City Council for taking the time to condemn coronavirus-related hate and promote respect for all Houstonians,” said ADL Southwest Regional Director Mark Toubin. “These Houston leaders understand that the effort to contain COVID-19 requires that city residents be safe from hate as well as the disease.”