Marathon County’s Sheriff takes to Facebook to denounce attacks on people with Southeast Asian ancestry.
Sheriff Scott Parks says Marathon County is a diverse community made up of Nationalities from around the world, one of the largest being the Hmong community. He says that community has grown and become ever more present in Marathon County government, business and community life.
Sheriff Parks says it disturbs him when he sees actions occurring across this Nation and now even in the local community where members of the Southeast Asian population have been verbally and physically attacked, along with having their property vandalized or stolen. The sheriff says they are being victimized because misguided individuals have decided to attack them due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting this Nation.
The sheriff asks “Why would someone come to the conclusion they are so afraid of a virus that they should attack a culture who reside in America and have nothing to do with the pandemic?”
For those who feel the need to lash out at these community members, the sheriff asks that people think before they act. He says the people being targeted have nothing to do with this crisis and are suffering through the various restrictions as much as you are. They sheriff says they are suffering even more as they live in the added fear they will be attacked for no other reason than their culture.
Sheriff Parks says Marathon County law enforcement is diligently working on these investigations and will seek prosecution for the criminal acts. He apologized to those who have been victimized, saying this is not how a majority of Marathon County residents act.
Sheriff Parks full statement
Marathon County is a diverse community made up of Nationalities from around the world. We are fortunate to have the variety of cultures as each brings something new and unique to our area. One of our largest communities is the Hmong community. This area has watched as that community has grown and become ever more present in Marathon County government, business and community life. I have had the honor of being present at celebrations hosted by the Hmong community and of participating in ceremonies or other cultural activities. I consider myself a friend and ally.
It disturbs me when I see actions occurring across this Nation and now even in our community where members of the Southeast Asian population have been verbally and physically attacked along with having their property vandalized or stolen. They are being victimized because misguided individuals have decided to attack them due to the COVID-19 pandemic that is impacting this Nation. Yes, COVID-19 has been identified as coming from a province in China. Also, I understand there is much fear and anxiety occurring in regards to this pandemic. What I do not understand is the why.
Why would someone come to the conclusion they are so afraid of a virus that they should attack a culture who reside in America and have nothing to do with the pandemic other than the fact they are Southeast Asian? For those persons who feel the need to lash out at these community members, think before you act. The people you are targeting have nothing to do with this crisis and are suffering through the various restrictions as much as you are. In fact, they are suffering even more as they live in the added fear they will be attacked for no other reason than their culture.
For those persons who have elected to behave in this fashion, rest assured that Marathon County law enforcement is diligently working on these investigations and will seek prosecution for the criminal acts. For those persons who have been victimized, I want to apologize to you, because this is not how a majority of Marathon County residents act.
