DeKALB – NIU President Lisa Freeman denounced hate and all forms of racism in the wake of an Atlanta shooting that killed eight people, including six Asian American women.

“The increase in crimes across our nation targeting those who are not white cause fear and lasting harm to underrepresented communities everywhere,” Freeman said in a Thursday email. “This past year has been particularly challenging for the Asian community as they have not only battled COVID-19 but the xenophobia it has produced.”

Tuesday’s incident follows an increase in events of discrimination and violence directed against Asians and Asian Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stop AAPI Hate released a report Tuesday that found nearly 3,800 instances of discrimination against Asians in the past year.

“To our Asian students, faculty and staff, we are here to support you and to remind you that you are valued Huskies. Students,” Freeman said in the email.

If a student is a victim or a witness to harassment, discrimination or bias, they can use the NIU Bias Reporting Form.