Statement of District Attorney Rachael Rollins in Response to the Murders of Eight Individuals in Georgia

BOSTON, March 18, 2021— The unspeakable acts of violence perpetrated in Georgia this week have left us all shocked and horrified.  My heart goes out to the loved ones of those who were so senselessly murdered, and to the Asian American communities that have been placed in fear.  While we continue to wait for additional details to be released in this active investigation, there is little room for doubt that the perpetrator of these crimes chose to carry out his attacks at Asian spas, targeting victims he knew would be predominantly Asian and female.

In the past four short months, the United States has seen incredible strides forward, as our nation voted in November to reject the bigotry imbued in the last administration in favor of leadership that represents the rich and diverse experience of Americans in all corners of our nation.  We saw hope in the election of Georgia’s first Black and first Jewish Senators.  But we have also seen a noose erected outside the Capitol Building and a Confederate flag inside the building during an insurrection fueled by an unwillingness to accept the will of a nation moving toward equity and inclusion.  The murders of eight individuals in a crime spree that spread across communities is a dreadful reminder of the risks that people of color – and women of color, in particular – face when bigotry, hatred and misogyny are normalized and allowed to exist in plain sight.  That these victims – seven of whom were female – were murdered during Women’s History Month should not be lost on any of us.  As we honor the memory of the victims of this mass killing, we hope and expect to see the man responsible for their murders held accountable, and we will work to ensure that every member of our community and our country is safe. 

Acts of harassment and other offenses against women and people of color often go unreported.  Therefore, even though Suffolk County prosecutors have not noted a marked increase in criminal reports of hate crimes against our Asian and Pacific Islander brothers and sisters, it could very well be because they are not being reported.  Accordingly, we say out loud again today, that we remain available to any member of the community who believes they have been the victim of a crime, including any crime fueled by bias based on race, ethnicity, nation of origin, gender identity, ability, orientation, religion, or any other protected status.   We will continue to work with our government, law enforcement and community partners to ensure the rights and safety of every single person in Suffolk County.  People deserve to live without fear and as their true and authentic selves.  Hate has no place in Suffolk County.

Resources for victims of discrimination or disparate treatment are available here.

Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins’ office serves the communities of Boston, Chelsea, Revere, and Winthrop, Mass. The office handles over 25,000 cases a year. More than 160 attorneys in the office practice in nine district and municipal courts, Suffolk Superior Court, the Massachusetts Appeals Court, the Supreme Judicial Court, and the Boston Juvenile Courts. The office employs some 300 people and offers a wide range of services and programs to serve anyone who comes in contact with the criminal justice system. This office is committed to educating the public about the services we provide, our commitment to crime prevention, and our dedication to keeping the residents of Suffolk County safe.