Amid increasing violence against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) and growing protests across America denouncing anti-Asian hate, designers are raising awareness with promotional products staples like apparel, accessories and wall art.

The verbal and physical violence against the AAPI community across the country has become a cause for concern in recent months. The Asian Pacific Policy & Planning Council (AP3CON) said they received almost 1,500 reports of racism, hate speech, discrimination and physical attacks against the AAPI community in the spring of 2020 alone. In 2021, California State University’s Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism reports that major cities across the country have seen a 150% increase in hate crimes against members of the AAPI community.

Outrage came to a head last week after a March 16 shooting that saw a 21-year-old man in Georgia target three spas in the Atlanta area, killing eight people (including six Asian women) and wounding one. While racism has not yet been named the official motive in the attack, the number of AAPI members killed has become the focus of renewed outcry and protests.

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris recently convened with Asian-American community leaders in Atlanta to discuss how to address the rise in racially motivated crimes.

This afternoon, Vice President Harris and I sat down with Asian American leaders in Atlanta. It was a heart-wrenching meeting that made clear the urgent work that lies ahead. We must come together as one America, stand against hate, and root out racism wherever we find it. pic.twitter.com/Z2DOKdxklZ

— President Biden (@POTUS) March 20, 2021

Now, as part of ongoing anti-hate protests, artists and designers are creating and launching #StopAsianHate “moment merchandise,” much of it going to support relevant organizations.

An awareness tee from Thoseshirts.com.

Merchandise that raises awareness or celebrates a cause or event has grown in popularity in recent years as a result of quicker production processes and e-commerce store capabilities. In November, artists designed and sold merchandise celebrating the incoming presidential administration. Merch has also been used recently to raise awareness to the opioid epidemic, generate funds for COVID-impacted communities and rally support for front-line workers.

Proceeds from this reusable mask from Uprisers will go to the nonprofit Hate is a Virus.

Along with countless options in T-shirts and apparel, other items such as masks are available, with proceeds from the sale of these items being donated to AAPI and anti-racism groups.

Earnings from sales of these keytags from NY Tougher Than Ever support AAPI organizations.

Advocacy groups say that language barriers also create a challenge to reporting incidents, which means that official numbers don’t always reflect reality.

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