NAPABA Calls for Action to End Hate Violence Against Asian Americans

For Immediate Release: Date: March 2, 2021

Contact: Priya Purandare, Executive Director

WASHINGTON—This past Friday, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would investigate the rise in hate-based violent extremism against Asian Americans that has occurred since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) applauds this necessary undertaking and unequivocally condemns and rejects the violence that has been directed at the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and calls for appropriate law enforcement efforts to investigate and prosecute offenders.

Since the start of the pandemic, there have been over 3,000 recorded hate incidents against the Asian American community, along with concern that law enforcement has been slow or reticent to investigate the incidents.

“NAPABA is deeply troubled by the continued rise of hate crimes and violence against the Asian American community and the hesitant response by the government to counter this disturbing and unacceptable trend,” said A.B. Cruz III, president of NAPABA. “While we appreciate President Biden and the Department of Justice’s acknowledgement of this crisis, we need our government to do more to protect AAPIs. There needs to be proactive coordination between local, state and federal authorities, including prevention and prosecution against such crimes. NAPABA has, and will, continue to work diligently to provide support to assist victims and their families, and action and advocacy to prevent hate crimes and acts of violence against the AAPI community.”

In January, President Biden issued his Memorandum Condemning and Combating Racism, Xenophobia, and Intolerance Against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States . However, the attacks against the AAPI community have become even more prominent in February, including:

  • An 84-year-old Thai American man in San Francisco was shoved to the ground during his morning walk and died two days later;
  • A 91-year-old Chinese American man In Oakland was attacked and pushed to the ground when several shops were vandalized in Chinatown;
  • A 64-year-old Vietnamese American woman in San Jose was robbed following a Lunar New Year’s celebration;
  • A 61-year-old Filipino American in New York had his face slashed with a box cutter on the subway; and
  • A 52-year-old Chinese American woman in Queens, New York was physically attacked and shoved to the ground while waiting in line at a bakery.

NAPABA’s hate crimes resources, including providing pro bono legal assistance, can be found here. NAPABA’s Stand Against Hate campaign, denouncing racism can be found here. NAPABA and its affiliates’ past statements on anti-Asian hate can be found here.

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The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) represents the interests of approximately 50,000 legal professionals and nearly 90 national, state, and local Asian Pacific American bar associations. NAPABA is a leader in addressing civil rights issues confronting Asian Pacific American communities. Through its national network, NAPABA provides a strong voice for increased diversity in government and the judiciary on the local, state, and federal levels, advocates for equal opportunity in the workplace, works to eliminate hate crimes and anti-immigrant sentiment, and promotes the professional development of people of color in the legal profession.

In the News: AABANY and Paul, Weiss’ Report on Anti-Asian Violence Continues to Garner Widespread Press Attention

AABANY and Paul, Weiss’ report, A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions, has continued garnering widespread press attention in print and on air following its release on February 11. There has been an increase in news outlets summarizing and citing the report’s findings since our previous account, including not just across the United States but Asia and Europe as well.

Here are some news stories about recent incidents of anti-Asian violence, where they mention AABANY’s report:

“Asian Americans face increased hate crimes amid COVID-19 pandemic” By Megan Schellong, February 19, 2021, WLNS, https://www.wlns.com/news/asian-americans-face-increased-hate-crimes-amid-covid-19-pandemic/

“Violence contre les asiatiques aux USA : Nancy Pelosi s’insurge” By Rodrigue Gozoa, February 19, 2021, La Nouvelle Tribune, https://lanouvelletribune.info/2021/02/violence-contre-les-asiatiques-aux-usa-nancy-pelosi-sinsurge/?cn-reloaded=1 

“House Dems renew call for hate crime law after anti-Asian attacks” By Michael Macagnone, February 19, 2021, Roll Call, https://www.rollcall.com/2021/02/19/house-dems-renew-call-for-hate-crime-law-after-anti-asian-attacks/

“Olivia Munn laments spiking hate crimes against Asian Americans as friend’s mother is attacked” By Clémence Michallon, February 19, 2021, The Independent, https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/olivia-munn-man-shove-asian-woman-new-york-b1804739.html 

“Asian Americans Express Alarm Over Recent Acts of Violence And Demand Action” By Arun Venugopal, February 20, 2021, Gothamist, https://gothamist.com/news/asian-americans-express-alarm-over-recent-acts-violence-and-demand-action 

“Civil rights advocates, officials denounce recent violence against Asian New Yorkers” By News 12 Staff, February 21, 2021, News 12 The Bronx, https://bronx.news12.com/civil-rights-advocates-officials-denounce-recent-violence-against-asian-new-yorkers

“COLUMN: Policing is not an appropriate response to the increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans” By Ellie Lin, February 21, 2021, The Maneater, https://themaneater.com/stories/opinion/column-policing-is-not-an-appropriate-response-to-the-increase-in-hate-crimes-against-asian-americans- 

“Xenofobia. La caccia all’«untore» asiatico adesso spaventa San Francisco” By Mariangela Mistretta, February 21, 2021, Avvenire, https://www.avvenire.it/mondo/pagine/la-caccia-alluntore-asiatico-adesso-spaventa-san-francisco 

“新冠疫情掀仇恨!美屢傳攻擊亞裔族群事件 犯罪激增8倍” February 22, 2021, Yahoo!, https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%96%B0%E5%86%A0%E7%96%AB%E6%83%85%E6%8E%80%E4%BB%87%E6%81%A8%E7%BE%8E%E5%B1%A2%E5%82%B3%E6%94%BB%E6%93%8A%E4%BA%9E%E8%A3%94%E6%97%8F%E7%BE%A4%E4%BA%8B%E4%BB%B6-%E7%8A%AF%E7%BD%AA%E6%BF%80%E5%A2%9E-8-%E5%80%8D-034544295.html 

“It takes all of us to fight racial violence against Asian Americans” By Yahaira Galvez, February 23, 2021, The Diamondback, https://dbknews.com/2021/02/23/asian-american-racial-violence-coronavirus-aapi/ 

“Local View: Don’t brush off COVID-fueled anti-Asian hate” By Betty Casazza, Belissa Ho, Laura Judd, Julie Kim, Sharon Kwong, Jennifer Lien, Pakou Ly, and Sharon Yung, February 23, 2021, Duluth News Tribune, https://www.duluthnewstribune.com/opinion/columns/6899246-Local-View-Dont-brush-off-COVID-fueled-anti-Asian-hate 

“METROFOCUS: February 23, 2021” https://www.thirteen.org/metrofocus/2021/02/metrofocus-february-23-2021-7x8abz/ 

“Fil-Ams advised to be very cautious as anti-Asian hate crimes in US spike” By CNN Philippines Staff, February 26, 2021, CNN Philippines, https://cnnphilippines.com/world/2021/2/26/anti-Asian-hate-crimes-US-PH-embassy-cautions-Filipinos.html 

“Attacks on Asian-Americans in New York Stoke Fear, Anxiety and Anger” By Alexandra E. Petri and Daniel E. Slotnik, February 26, 2021, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2021/02/26/nyregion/asian-hate-crimes-attacks-ny.html?action=click&module=Top%20Stories&pgtype=Homepage 

“Brooklyn Man Charged With Hate Crime In Alleged Stabbing Of Asian Man In Lower Manhattan” By Jake Offenhartz, February 26, 2021, Gothamist, https://gothamist.com/news/brooklyn-man-charged-hate-crime-alleged-stabbing-asian-man-lower-manhattan 

“Demonstrators, Elected Officials Rally After Surge In Anti-Asian Hate And Violence” By Arun Venugopal, February 27, 2021, Gothamist, https://gothamist.com/news/demonstrators-elected-officials-rally-after-surge-anti-asian-hate-and-violence 

“环球深观察丨系统性种族歧视“系列剧”仍在美国上演” By 李鹏, February 27, 2021, Yznews.com.cn, http://news.yznews.com.cn/2021-02/27/content_7241226.htm 

“疫情下美國歧視亞裔案急增 針對長者屢見不鮮 辱罵至毆打樣樣來” By 歐敬洛, February 28, 2021, 香港01, https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%9C%8B%E9%9A%9B/592980/%E7%96%AB%E6%83%85%E4%B8%8B%E7%BE%8E%E5%9C%8B%E6%AD%A7%E8%A6%96%E4%BA%9E%E8%A3%94%E6%A1%88%E6%80%A5%E5%A2%9E-%E9%87%9D%E5%B0%8D%E9%95%B7%E8%80%85%E5%B1%A2%E8%A6%8B%E4%B8%8D%E9%AE%AE-%E8%BE%B1%E7%BD%B5%E8%87%B3%E6%AF%86%E6%89%93%E6%A8%A3%E6%A8%A3%E4%BE%86 

“Hundreds in New York rally against anti-Asian hate” By Xinhua, March 1, 2021, Global Times, https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202103/1216832.shtml 

If you have come across a news report or article about our report that is not listed above, please let us know at [email protected].

More public awareness about our report and the rise in anti-Asian violence is needed. Please share our report widely. If you have ideas or thoughts about how we can combat anti-Asian violence, please share them with us at [email protected].

AABANY Celebrates 2021 Virtual Gala

On Wednesday, February 24, 2021, AABANY hosted its 2021 Virtual Gala: Uniting for Justice and Equity. 

The event kicked off at 6 pm with a Pre-Gala Virtual Cocktail Reception on Remo attended by sponsors and special guests, including prominent General Counsels and judges. At 6:30 pm, all Virtual Gala attendees were invited to enjoy a piano concert featuring AABANY Member Renee Yao.

The Virtual Gala started at 7 pm and Kate Siahaan-Riggs, NYC-based actor, stand up comic, and writer, served as emcee. Throughout the gala, AABANY held a text-to-donate fundraiser to support Portrait Project 2.0, the second phase of the Portrait Project study which is researching why Asian Americans are underrepresented in top leadership positions across all sectors of the legal profession and how it can be addressed.

This year AABANY was proud to honor:

Frank H. Wu, President of Queens College, the City University of New York, with the AABANY Impact Award

Sneha Desai, Deputy General Counsel Litigation of BASF Corporation, with the AABANY Women’s Leadership Award

Kirkland & Ellis LLP with the AABANY Law Firm Diversity Award

Ed Lee, AABANY Board Director and Partner at Kirkland & Ellis, accepted the Law Firm Diversity Award on behalf of Kirkland & Ellis LLP. Honoree Sneha Desai delivered an acceptance speech, stressing the importance of individuals in leadership and influential positions to make positive change in diversity and inclusion. The Honorable Denny Chin, U.S. Circuit Judge, U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, hosted a fireside chat with honoree Frank H,. Wu to discuss his career and the work he has accomplished.

In addition, we were also pleased to present the 2021 class of Don H. Liu Scholars: Narissa Ganpat, Minji Kim, and Minh Eric Le.

The Gala concluded with a tribute to Asian American photojournalist and historian Corky Lee who passed away in January due to COVID-19. Corky had taken photos of our past Annual Dinners from its earliest days until 2020.

We thank all of the AABANY Virtual Gala Planning Committee members and volunteers for their hard work in making this year’s celebration a huge success. 

We extend sincere thanks to all of our sponsors. Their generous sponsorships make it possible for us to pursue our mission to advance the interests of the Asian Pacific American (APA) legal community and the communities we serve and support our many activities and signature events throughout the year. 

Lastly, we thank everyone that attended the 2021 Virtual Gala and celebrated with us. Our Virtual Gala was streamed on Vimeo which reports that the gala drew 1,400 views. To watch the gala on You Tube, click here or on the image at the top of this blog. To view the Virtual Gala program book, click here.