The Society of American Gastrointestinal and Endoscopic Surgeons (SAGES) stands in solidarity with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. In the summer of 2020, SAGES released a statement condemning the violence, racism, and hatred toward the Black community in the wake of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor’s murders. It is with great sorrow that we must again reiterate that SAGES wholly denounces intolerance based on differences of any kind. In the last year, there has been a growing number of attacks on AAPI citizens in the US. The abhorrent shooting in Atlanta, resulting in the death of six Asian Americans is one of, but certainly not the only, atrocious act we have seen in recent months. SAGES acknowledges the integral contributions of the AAPI community to surgery, and medicine at large. As we work towards a more just society, we continue to dedicate ourselves to amplifying the message of diversity, equity and inclusion for all.
Diversity, Leadership and Professional Development Task Force (DLPD) with Executive Committee approval