MIAMI & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits (“Southern Glazer’s”)—the world's pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol—today reaffirmed support for equality and justice, following the disturbing increase in violence against people of Asian descent. The Company also recognizes that to effectively address anti-Asian racism, the business community must be actively engaged in fighting against all forms of racism – through workplace culture, business practices, philanthropic and community engagement initiatives.
On this topic, Wayne E. Chaplin, Chief Executive Officer, issued the following statement: “At Southern Glazer’s, we take pride in fostering a culture that supports Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in all areas of our business. Whether it be discrimination against the Black community and people of color, acts of violence against Asians, Asian Americans, or Pacific Islanders, or any future injustices or crimes against any minority group, we want to make it perfectly clear that we denounce discrimination and violence in any form, now and always. As a leader in our industry and a responsible business, we take seriously our responsibility to speak out, speak up and serve as allies for victims of discrimination and hate. We will continue to partner with and support organizations that fight for racial justice and equality, while also working to ensure our own Southern Glazer’s FAMILY members feel supported and safe. In line with this commitment and in response to the reprehensible increase in violence against people of Asian descent, Southern Glazer’s has pledged to financially support two organizations that are taking action to fight against acts of hate against the Asian community – the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and Stop AAPI Hate.”
The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, a New York-based national organization founded in 1974, protects and promotes the civil rights of Asian Americans. By combining litigation, advocacy, education, and organizing, the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) works with Asian American communities across the country to secure human rights for all.
In response to the alarming escalation in xenophobia and bigotry resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian Pacific Planning and Policy Council (A3PCON), Chinese for Affirmative Action (CAA), and the Asian American Studies Department of San Francisco State University launched the Stop AAPI Hate reporting center on March 19, 2020. The center tracks and responds to incidents of hate, violence, harassment, discrimination, shunning, and child bullying against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States.
This support follows workplace, philanthropic and business actions taken by the Company in 2020 to promote racial equality for Black citizens and people of color in the United States. Southern Glazer’s encourages our supplier partners to join us in financially supporting the organizations listed above, and the entire business community to stand with us and continue to engage in efforts to promote diversity and eradicate inequality.
About Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits
Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits is the world’s pre-eminent distributor of beverage alcohol, and proud to be a multi-generational, family-owned company. The Company has operations in 44 U.S. states, the District of Columbia, and Canada. Southern Glazer’s urges all retail customers and adult consumers to market, sell, serve, and enjoy its products responsibly. For more information visit www.southernglazers.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram @sgwinespirits and on Facebook at Facebook.com/SouthernGlazers.
