Tag: Anti-Asian violence task force

Posted on

The Model Minority Victim: Professor Elaine Chiu’s Legal Critique of Anti-Asian Hate

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, as headlines reported a spike in anti-Asian violence across the United States, legal scholar and former prosecutor Elaine Chiu found herself asking a question that few others were: was the criminal legal system actually helping Asian American victims? Her article, published in the Santa Clara Law Review in June 2025, The Model Minority Victim, emerges from this inquiry with a sobering answer. Drawing on a first-of-its-kind empirical database built by the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF)—a joint project of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY)—Professor Chiu followed 276 reported anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City in 2021, tracking each case from the initial police response to prosecution and sentencing. Of those cases, only 25 resulted in hate crime convictions.

Beyond its grim statistics, Professor Chiu’s article offers a powerful critique of the structural and cultural forces that render the law ineffective when it comes to anti-Asian violence. She argues that outdated hate crime statutes, high evidentiary burdens for proving motive, and deeply embedded racial stereotypes, particularly the “model minority” myth, all contribute to a system that routinely fails to see Asian Americans as worthy victims of racism. The result, she argues, is a legal system that fails to protect Asian American victims and actively reinforces racial hierarchies.

Professor Chiu has a long-standing history of leadership in the legal field. In recognition of her leadership, AABANY honored Professor Chiu with their Women’s Leadership Award in 2025, presented during the AABANY Annual Dinner, held on May 29, recognizing her illustrious career and community service, including her work with AAVTF and her role in publishing the landmark report, Endless Tide: The Continuous Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. In her acceptance speech, Professor Chiu acknowledged the profound connection between law and identity: “The law feeds and nourishes our families, but it also feeds and nourishes our beliefs about humanity, our country, and our identity as Americans.” Reflecting on her formative years and career, she spoke about her enduring desire to help people, firmly placing her hope in the rule of law. She urged the audience to hold onto that hope and to “show up, stand up, and speak up.”

Building on her belief in the interconnectedness of the law and identity, Professor Chiu’s article is grounded in her experience as a former Assistant District Attorney. When asked how her background as a former ADA and legal scholar shaped her approach, she replied, “I always knew there was a whole other story of what could happen after an arrest.” While the police often serve as the first responders, the prosecutors are the ones who shape the legal narrative. Lawyers, she noted, are uniquely positioned to “chase the string on every case,” following each story beyond the moment of arrest to ultimately deliver justice.

Together with the AAVTF, Professor Chiu advocates for reform. She supports revising hate crime laws to clarify the types of evidence that can support a bias motivation and calls for improved training so that the police and lawyers can better recognize and pursue racially motivated violence. But she also acknowledges the limits of legal reform alone. Cultural narratives, too, must shift. Stereotypes that dehumanize Asian Americans, even in their most vulnerable moments, must be actively rejected.

The creation of the AAVTF itself speaks to this dual mission of legal and cultural change. Founded in 2021, the Task Force emerged out of a collective urgency to respond to the rising tide of violence and was designed to “cover the now,” as Professor Chiu explains. While the hope was that the AAVTF would someday no longer be needed, Professor Chiu remains steadfast in her desire for the surge in Asian American advocacy not to fade into silence. “It was electric,” she says, remembering the activism that rose alongside the hate. “I hope it doesn’t [go quiet].”

In The Model Minority Victim, Professor Chiu offers more than a critique of the criminal legal system. She gives us a way to see—to understand how and why justice fails, and what must change to ensure it doesn’t continue. The article is a reminder that legal reform, if it is to be meaningful, must be paired with a broader reimagining of whose pain the system recognizes, whose voices it validates, and whose lives it protects.

If you are interested in reading the full article, Chiu, Elaine M., The Model Minority Victim, 65 Santa Clara L. Rev. 451 (2025), you can find it here.

Posted on

AALFNY and AABANY Host Summer Reception at FTI Consulting, Congratulating AALFNY 2025 Public Interest Scholarship Recipients

On Thursday, July 17, 2025, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) and the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) hosted their Summer Reception at FTI Consulting in mid-town Manhattan. The reception also recognized the 2025 AALFNY Public Interest Scholarship recipients. The event featured Judge Denny Chin, Co-Director of the Center on Asian Americans and the Law at Fordham Law School, as the event’s distinguished guest speaker. 

Sylvia Chin, President of AALFNY and Chair of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force delivered opening remarks and invited AALFNY’s directors onstage, where they introduced themselves.

Benjamin Hsing, AABANY President, introduced AABANY, recognized Fordham Law’s Center on Asian Americans and the Law, and urged professionals and students to join AABANY to strengthen the AAPI legal community. Ben also highlighted AALFNY’s public interest scholarships, emphasizing their role in fostering the next generation of legal professionals.

Next, AABANY’s Pro Bono and Community Service Committee Co-Chairs Beatrice Leong and Gary Yeung presented on AABANY’s Pro Bono Clinics. Gary explained that they take place in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. The Clinics provide culturally and linguistically competent attorneys and interpreters for individualized legal assistance, offering free consultations to the community. AABANY is celebrating the 10 year anniversary of its Pro Bono Clinics and is expecting to host a fundraiser soon. Beatrice thanked all the volunteers who contributed to making the Pro Bono Clinics successful. Gary encouraged people to volunteer at clinics, especially in Queens, where there is a greater need for volunteers to assist the large AAPI and immigrant population in that part of Queens.

Sylvia proceeded to honor the recipients of AALFNY’s 2025 Public Interest Scholarships: 

  • Lori Giargias, St. John’s University School of Law, Class of 2027, interning with the Jewish Association Serving the Aging Legal Services for the Elderly in Queens, aims to assist individuals at risk of losing their homes. 
  • Jiaqi Huang, from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, Class of 2025, is interning with the Legal Aid Society’s Immigration Law Unit to support efforts serving the Asian American community. 
  • Issalina Sagad, CUNY School of Law, Class of 2027, interning with Catholic Charities Community Services, will learn how legal aid can be made more accessible. 
  • Eqra Muhammad, St. John’s University School of Law, Class of 2025, is interning with the Urban Justice Center’s Domestic Violence Project’s Immigration Team, working to support survivors of domestic violence.

AALFNY annually grants Public Interest Scholarships to law students who have demonstrated a strong dedication to serving the community. Since 1997, AALFNY has awarded over 60 scholarships, supporting  deserving law students financially while motivating them to apply their legal education to benefit the Asian American community in New York. The scholarship aims to encourage law students to have a lasting commitment to public service in New York. 


Rocky Chin, NYC Human Rights Commissioner and AALFNY Board Member, discussed the history of the Center on Asian Americans and Law and thanked its founders: Judge Denny Chin and Professor Thomas H. Lee. Thomas H. Lee, Co-Director of the Center on Asian American and the Law, proceeded to talk about the inspiration behind AABANY’s reenactments, whose scripts can be requested from the AABANY Trial Reenactments website. The trial reenactments cover landmark cases involving Asian Americans and have been performed all over the country by other bar associations, law schools, and community groups.

Judge Denny Chin notably said, “In doing reenactments, I fell in love with Asian American history.” He presented slides depicting the Center’s events and activities, including past Fall Symposiums, screenings, teaching workshops, and reenactments. Currently, teaching materials from the Center are being used at 14 law schools: Albany, Columbia, Cornell, CUNY, Fordham, Harvard, Rutgers-Newark, SMU, Stanford, St. John’s, Touro, UC San Francisco, University of Virginia, and Yale. 

Judge Chin opened the floor for questions after the presentation, during which he discussed the concept of doing trial reenactments of AAPI cases was inspired by historical trial reenactments that had previously been done at the Federal Bar Council. Judge Chin also emphasized how AABANY’s Reenactments about trials involving Asian Americans are becoming increasingly relevant to modern day issues. 

Next, Sylvia recognized the dignitaries present and thanked everyone for their attendance. Rocky encouraged people to take the informative materials available detailing the Center on Asian Americans and Law and the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. He also urged people to continue to work together and to partner with more Asian American community organizations. 

Guests had the opportunity to mingle during the reception afterward, where attendees, from law students to seasoned attorneys, built new connections. Thank you to FTI Consulting for generously providing the space for this event. 

Posted on

AABANY Co-Sponsors Screening of “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” Documentary at Asia Society, Followed by Panel Discussions

Photo by Dazhen Lu

On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) co-sponsored a screening of its documentary “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” at the Asia Society in New York City. This newly released version, which had never been shown before, added an introduction providing historical context on anti-Asian hate and violence in America. The documentary focuses on the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes during the COVID-19 pandemic, featuring the voices of victims, their families, and community advocates who shared their personal experiences.

The event featured a screening followed by two panel discussions. The first panel featured selected participants from the film, including Michael Zhu, Justin Go, the father of Michelle Go, and Sungkon Lee, the father of Christina Yuna Lee. The second panel featured esteemed advocates Glenn Magpantay, Commissioner, U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, and Jennifer H. Wu, founding partner of Groombridge Wu Baughman & Stone, who discussed the systemic and historical factors that have contributed to the targeting of the AAPI community.

Photo by Dazhen Lu

The screening began with a short introduction by Neelam Chowdhary, Vice President of Education at Asia Society, who introduced the documentary and stated that “the fight against race-based hate is far from over and our work towards a more equitable justice system must continue.” She thanked the partners and sponsors who made the screening possible and introduced the panelists who would speak later in the evening. 

Next, AABANY’s Executive Director, Yang Chen, discussed the story of how the documentary came into being. After the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force was formed after the first year of the pandemic, it produced two well-received reports on anti-Asian hate and violence. Rather than produce a third report, the Task Force decided to make a documentary instead, to record the memories and recollections of victims, survivors, and activists.

After opening remarks, the documentary was presented. It ran for a little over thirty minutes, and the stage was set for the first panel.

After the screening, moderator Chris Kwok (center in the photo above) introduced the panelists: Michael Zhu, Justin Go, Sungkon Lee and his translator, Hana Park (ordered from left to right). They discussed their insights into anti-Asian hate crimes and shared the experiences of the victims and their families years after the attacks. Chris began the discussion by familiarizing the audience with the current lives of the survivors and raising the question of how the Asian American community can make things better.

Michael Zhu, survivor of a brutal knife attack, commented that he had found a new perspective in life. After expressing his gratitude to his family and the surgeons, he said he was thankful his life has mostly returned to normal. Sungkon Lee, the father of Christina Yuna Lee, lamented the tragic murder of his daughter in his everyday life and is working towards getting a homeless shelter named in memory of his daughter as a way to prevent future horrific murders like the one Christina Yuna Lee suffered. Like Mr. Lee, Justin Go continued to live with deep pain following the passing of his daughter Michelle: “We still miss her funny laugh, her generosity, her cross-country flights to see family and friends even though we knew she had worked long hours at various projects.” Mr. Go then went on to discuss and advocate for the  Michelle Alyssa Go Act, pending in Congress, which would amend the definition of an “Institution for Mental Diseases” under Medicaid, raising the number of Medicaid-eligible inpatient psychiatric beds a care facility can have from 16 to 36.

After the discussion with the survivors, panelists Glenn Magpantay and Jennifer H. Wu were invited to the stage to share their work on fighting Asian hate crime and their views on the issue. Glenn emphasized the need for greater enforcement and possible reform of hate crime laws. Jennifer underscored the importance for Asian Americans to speak up when their rights are violated, even when the community  normalizes the idea that “it’s safer to stay silent than to speak up.” She urged victims to make their voices heard by the public.

Chris then turned to specific hate crime laws, and both speakers expressed their frustration with the current state of the law. Glenn discussed the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which allowed alleged assailants to go out on supervised release instead of jail, which he believed would cause more danger to victims once they are released. Jennifer expressed the difficulty in charging a hate crime because prosecutors are often dismissive of such reports and encounter challenges in proving that the crime was indeed motivated in whole or substantial part by prohibited hate.

Then, the panelists opened the floor for questions. Most notably, a member of the audience asked the appropriate steps to take if harassed. Jennifer responded by saying that the first step is to call AABANY and the second is to trust the institutions that are supposed to carry out justice. She also encouraged the audience to show up for other communities: “If we don’t show up for other people, how will they show up for us?” She emphasized the importance of allyship. Following the discussions, guests were invited to a reception. Drinks were served and audience members discussed the documentary among themselves, and with the panelists, victims, and loved ones who stayed behind after the discussion.

Special thanks to the Asia Society for hosting this event and to all who attended the screening. We extend our gratitude to the survivors, Justin Go, Michael Zhu, and Sungkon Lee for their courage in sharing their story, and to the advocates, Glenn Magpantay, Jennifer H. Wu, and Chris Kwok for their insights and profound contributions to the AAPI community.

If you are interested in hosting a screening and panel discussion, please contact Daphne Mei, Program Manager, AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, at daphne.mei@aabany.org.

Thanks to Nick Tan for the event photos, courtesy of the Asia Society (unless otherwise noted).

Posted on

Screening at New York Law School of “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate” Documentary

On February 26, 2025, I attended a screening at New York Law School of Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate, a documentary co-produced by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), that captures the raw and painful experiences of those directly impacted by anti-Asian violence.

The documentary featured survivors, their families, and community supporters, including Justin Go, father of Michelle Go; Sungkon Lee, father of Christina Yuna Lee; and Jessica Zhao, former Vice President of the Forest Hills Asian Association, who lives in Queens where both Zhiwen Yan and GuiYing Ma were killed. Other featured individuals included Fulton Hou, Jane Kim, Noel Quintana, Patricia Zhang, and Michael Zhu, all of whom were traumatized by anti-Asian hate.

The documentary itself was heavy and haunting. The survivors, family members of those who lost their lives to anti-Asian hate, and dedicated community leaders recounted their experiences with a level of emotion that was both painful and necessary to witness. They were not just statistics or distant headlines—they were real people whose lives had been shattered by senseless violence. The randomness of the assault, the lack of accountability, and the feeling of helplessness resonated with the audience deeply. These anti-Asian hate experiences revealed a horrifying reality: victims of anti-Asian hate crimes are left to navigate their trauma alone, with little support from law enforcement or the legal system.

The wave of anti-Asian attacks has infiltrated every aspect of daily life, striking in places that are meant to be safe and routine. These attacks have occurred on subways, buses, and even in car mechanic shops, spaces we often consider neutral. Delivery workers making their rounds, carrying out everyday tasks like dropping off takeout, have also become targets. Attacks have taken place while simply sweeping a sidewalk near our homes, a place that should symbolize peace and security. Walking down the street or even being followed into one’s home has become an all too familiar fear for many in the community. These are not isolated incidents; this can happen to any of us. Everyone performs these activities, commuting, working, and walking in their neighborhoods, making it clear that no one is immune to the impact of this growing violence. It is an urgent wake-up call that these attacks are not just random outliers; they are attacks on the everyday lives of real people.

An insightful panel discussion followed after the screening, featuring Yang Chen, Executive Director of AABANY, Chris Kwok, Community Activist/JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator, and Anthony K.C. Fong, General Counsel at Victoria’s Transportation Co., Inc. in New York and an alum of New York Law School. Their discussion explored and analyzed hate crimes, bail reform, and the broader systemic issues that continue to fuel anti-Asian hatred and violence.

The panel discussion provided a necessary legal and societal framework for understanding these anti-Asian hate incidents. One of the key topics was bail reform and its unintended consequences. While bail reform aims to prevent economic discrimination against low-income defendants, it has also led to a revolving door system where perpetrators of hate crimes are often released back onto the streets. While reforming the justice system is essential, it may be failing communities of color, including Asian Americans. Yang Chen spoke about the difficulty in prosecuting hate crimes, particularly the high burden of proof required to establish racial motivation. Without clear-cut evidence such as an explicit racial slur or symbol, many violent attacks are not categorized as hate crimes, allowing perpetrators to receive lighter sentences. This legal hurdle is a significant roadblock in addressing anti-Asian violence meaningfully.

The panel highlighted the importance of community engagement in fighting anti-Asian hate. They emphasized that legal advocacy alone isn’t enough; we need education and community solidarity. The Asian American community cannot afford to remain passive. We need to actively participate in conversations about criminal justice reform, public safety and political representation.

The documentary and panel discussion made clear that the struggle against racism and xenophobia is far from over. It is easy to assume that awareness alone will lead to change, but awareness without action is meaningless. Watching Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate was a reminder of why advocacy and vigilance are crucial. The trauma inflicted on our communities does not disappear once the news cycle moves on. Hearing the pain of the survivors and the frustration from legal experts reinforced my belief that real change requires sustained effort.

I left the screening with a mix of anger, sadness, and determination. The documentary and panel reaffirmed that we cannot afford to be complacent. Whether it’s supporting organizations like AABANY, helping survivors navigate the complexities of the legal system, or simply checking in on our elders and neighbors, we all have a role to play.

In dedication to the memory of Michelle Go, Christina Yuna Lee, and all other victims of anti-Asian violence, we must continue to support initiatives such as the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force and their important projects: HEART (Hate Eradication Active Response Team) supporting victims of anti-Asian hate crimes, court watching, Anti-Asian hate crimes data collection, and the Rising Tide and Endless Tide reports examining anti-Asian hate and violence. We must also engage in ongoing community outreach and advocacy. The fight against anti-Asian hate is not just about reacting to tragedy; it’s about building a future where our communities no longer have to live in fear. The questions we need to ask ourselves now are: What are we going to do about it? How do we make sure that the level of hate and violence experienced by the AAPI community in the last few years does not happen again and does not afflict other vulnerable populations?

Posted on

Support AALFNY and AABANY Projects for the AAPI Community on Giving Tuesday

On Giving Tuesday and through the holiday season, please support the work of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY) to raise awareness of anti-Asian hate and violence, to advocate for solutions, and to ensure legal justice for the Asian American community.  Here are some of the projects AALFNY funds:

  • Anti-Asian Violence Task Force

“Contributions to AALFNY benefit the work of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Survivors of Asian hate crimes receive counseling and advice through the HEART program and a hate crimes reform bill was recently introduced in the New York State legislature,” notes Chris Kwok, chair of the Task Force.

  • AABANY’s Pro Bono Legal Clinic

“I was so taken aback by the pro bono legal clinic, just the fact that there was one for an Asian community, that I’m looking forward to ways that I can get involved if I could perhaps just volunteer for this pro bono legal clinic. It was a very healing experience for me, just to be acknowledged and to receive proper legal advice,” said a victim of an assault.

  • Public Interest Scholarships

“AALFNY’s funding allowed me to participate in a wonderfully educational summer working in BDS’s Immigration Practice and strengthened my commitment to a long-term career in immigration defense in the nonprofit sector,” a grateful scholarship recipient wrote.

  • Asian Voices Video

“The Asian Voices video co-produced by AALFNY is extremely powerful.  It was poignant to see and hear survivors and family members of hate crime victims describe their experiences. Everyone should get a chance to see this video,”  urges Rocky Chin.

Donations to AALFNY may be made at asianamericanlawfund.org/donate or by check to AALFNY, PO Box 161, 41 Purdy Ave., Rye NY 10580. AALFNY is a 501(c)(3) entity and donations are tax-deductible to the extent provided by law.

Your support enables us to serve the Asian American community through activities such as the AABANY Pro Bono Clinic, our Public Interest Scholarship Program which has funded more than 60 scholarships, and our support of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.  The Task Force’s activities include its Hate Eradication Active Response Team (HEART) which supports community members who have suffered a bias incident or hate crime and advocating for reform in hate crimes legislation.  Donations can be designated for the Task Force by noting “in support of T3” or for the pro bono clinic by noting “in support of pro bono clinic.”

The Asian American Law Fund of New York was established in 1993 by the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) to create and support non-profit and charitable efforts to eliminate prejudice and discrimination and to defend human and civil rights. A copy of our latest annual financial report may be obtained, upon request, from us or from the NYS Attorney General’s Charities Bureau or (212) 416-8686. Our address is P.O. Box 161, 41 Purdy Ave., Rye NY 10580, contact donations@asianamericanlawfund.org.  The NYS Charities Bureau is at 28 Liberty Street, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10005

Posted on

D.A. Bragg, Senator Hoylman-Sigal and Assemblymember Lee Announce New Legislation to Combat Hate Crimes 

On November 6, at a press conference held at the New York County District Attorney’s Office, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., New York State Senator Brad Hoylman-Sigal, and New York State Assemblymember Grace Lee announced the introduction of new state legislation called the Hate Crimes Modernization Act (S7737). This legislation aims to close existing loopholes in state law related to hate crimes. It expands the list of charges eligible for hate crime designation from 66 to 97, allowing for enhanced charges and sentences in cases involving hate crimes.

The legislation is a response to the rising number of hate crimes in New York City and New York State, with a record high of 650 reported hate crimes in New York City last year. The types of incidents have become more diverse, and the existing penal code has not kept up with these changes. Some significant charges were not previously included in the hate crimes law, such as Gang Assault, Making Graffiti, Sex Trafficking, Labor Trafficking, False Reporting, Criminal Possession of a Weapon, and certain sex crimes. The Hate Crimes Modernization Act is designed to address these issues and ensure greater accountability for individuals who commit offenses motivated by bias and prejudice.

AABANY’s contribution to fact-finding, statistical research and policy development is mentioned in the press release:

“Over the last few years, through its Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF), AABANY has been closely monitoring and studying the sharp rise in hatred and violence against the New York AAPI community,” said Yang Chen, Executive Director, Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY). “We have worked closely with the Manhattan D.A.’s office and have shared several proposals for reform, including legislative reform. D.A. Bragg’s office has been open and receptive to our suggestions, and we commend the time and effort the office has put into drafting proposed changes to the hate crimes laws. We believe the current proposed statutory reforms to the New York hate crimes law represent a step in the right direction, and we look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Manhattan D.A.’s office to bring about effective hate crimes prosecution and enforcement.”

The legislation has garnered support from various community leaders, organizations, and government officials, including Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, New York City Councilmember Keith Powers, the New York Police Department’s Hate Crimes Task Force, the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC), and multiple advocacy groups representing diverse communities. The bill is seen as a necessary step to combat hate crimes, protect marginalized communities, and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions.

To read the full press release, click here.

Posted on

In the News: AABANY Cited in Article on Ongoing Anti-Asian Hate

On August 21, 2023, AsAm News published a piece written by Rachel Phua titled “The Pandemic Emergency May Be Over, But Anti-Asian Hate Is Not.” AABANY was featured in this article, which details the alarming ongoing hate crimes against Asians in America and its effects on Asian-Americans.

The research of Dr. Elaine Chiu, law professor at St. John’s University and past chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, was cited to describe the discrepancy between official statistics and AABANY’s statistics regarding anti-Asian hate crimes. The article notes “although official statistics show that anti-Asian hate crime rates have fallen, AABANY found 233 anti-Asian incidents in New York City over the first three quarters of 2021, compared to 118 hate crimes the NYPD reported.”

In response to these persisting crime rates, AABANY has been pushing for hate crime prosecution reforms. The article noted that “AABANY wants the state and city to lower the standards needed to prove a hate crime, partly by changing the phrase ‘in substantial part’ to ‘in part,’ and including all offenses — unless explicitly excluded from the law — as possible acts of hate.” Chris Kwok, co-chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, said they are working with state lawmakers to introduce a bill to update the law.

Yang Chen, AABANY’s Executive Director, was quoted in the article stating that “before Covid came, Trump had already reoriented the US-China relationship. Covid set Trump on fire,” and noted lingering concerns over foreign policy rhetoric at the federal level.

To read the full article, click here.

Posted on

AABANY Celebrates its 34th Anniversary with Founders’ Day, Featuring Past AABANY President Glenn Lau-Kee 

On October 19, 2023, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) celebrated its 34th Anniversary with its Third Annual Founders’ Day, held at FTI Consulting, at their Midtown West Manhattan office. This annual event celebrates the establishment of AABANY as a bar association in 1989. AABANY pays tribute to its visionary Founders who played a critical role in laying the groundwork for AABANY’s emergence as the nation’s largest affinity bar association, currently with more than 1700 paid members.

The night opened with a light reception, as members trickled into the venue. Conversation flowed freely as attendees shared fond memories and anecdotes about AABANY. AABANY’s Membership Director, Christopher Bae gave welcoming remarks, introducing the lineup of speakers. He then passed the floor to Karen Kim, AABANY’s President, who provided an overview of the organization and shared her perspective on AABANY’s development in recent years Her speech underscored the organization’s remarkable growth, emerging as a vibrant and inclusive community of legal practitioners. 

Following her, past AABANY President (2014-2015), Glenn Lau-Kee, delivered a moving speech as the event’s keynote speaker. With great depth and insight, Glenn delved into the origins of our organization, offering a captivating narrative of its founding journey and the challenges its first members faced. Glenn’s words struck a chord with the legal professionals in attendance, serving as a poignant reminder of AABANY’s remarkable journey. As Glenn concluded his speech, he was faced with a wave of resounding applause. His words had a profound impact on the attendees, leaving a sense of gravity in the air as they continued to mingle, network, and enjoy food and drinks. 

Executive Director Yang Chen also spoke, reminding attendees of AABANY’s many milestones over the years. He highlighted Chris Kwok’s work on the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, speaking at length regarding the two vital reports that the Task Force released. Furthermore, he talked about the short film recently released by the Task Force, “ Voices against Anti-Asian Hate.” Attendees were invited to screen the short film at the event. Yang Chen explained that the video was slightly updated from the version first screened at the Fall Conference, and he invited attendees who watched it at Founders’ Day to share their feedback before the film is finalized and released to the general public. Those who saw the video offered positive feedback with some useful suggestions for the Task Force to consider.

Many notable AABANY leaders and members were present at this year’s Founders’ Day, including Hon. Marilyn Go (Ret.), founding AABANY member Hugh Mo, Anti-Asian Task Force Chair Chris Kwok, and many Board members and Committee Chairs. “[I am] thrilled to have been able to spend time with AABANY’s range of members, in particular some of its founders,” exclaimed Jason Sabot, Senior Managing Director  at FTI consulting. “The organization is so central to supporting and furthering Asian American interests in New York. Thank you for all you do, AABANY.” 

As the event drew to a close, Beatrice Leong, AABANY’s Vice President of Programs and Operations, aptly captured the sentiment of the evening, stating: “Tonight is proof that AABANY will last through the centuries— we began with just a handful of founders, and now we’ve grown into a thriving and expansive community. The legal professionals in the audience tonight exemplify the unity of the AAPI legal community, solidifying AABANY’s lasting presence as both an organization and an institution.”

Our gratitude goes out to Christopher S. Bae, AABANY’s Membership Director, and the dedicated Membership Committee for their outstanding efforts in organizing this wonderful event. AABANY also thanks FTI Consulting for generously providing the venue, food, and drinks for Founders’ Day, as well as their enduring support and partnership. AABANY is delighted to mark its 34th anniversary with the esteemed guests in attendance. We look forward to celebrating AABANY’s 35th anniversary in 2024!

Posted on

Chris Kwok Empowers Asian Voices through Education in the Hidden Voices Project

Chris Kwok, Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, continues to empower Asian voices in America, serving as a lead scholar on Hidden Voices: Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States. This curriculum guide is part of the New York City Department of Education’s Hidden Voices Project, dedicated to educating NYC students about marginalized peoples’ roles in shaping our history and identity. Chris co-authored the introduction to Hidden Voices, contributing to An Overview of Asian American and Pacific Islander History.

Chris has harbored a life-long passion for education. “At heart I’ve always been an educator— I think I went to law school because I knew that I was going to teach one day,” Chris explained. “I didn’t know how or what or where, I just built my experience and waited for an opportunity.” Pursuing his dreams, Chris went on to UCLA Law School after his undergraduate education at Cornell, focusing on critical race theory during his time there. Currently, Chris serves as a mediator with JAMS, and an adjunct professor at Hunter College, simultaneously pursuing his love for education and law. 

Regarding his work on the Hidden Voices project, Chris remains humble, elaborating that “it’s a huge team, and I’m just one small part of it.” As an adjunct professor, Chris had the opportunity to delve into Asian American studies, a subject close to his heart. His passion for education and his desire to bring Asian American experiences and narratives to the forefront aligned perfectly with the goals of the Hidden Voices Project. When Vivian Louie, Director of Hunter’s Asian American Studies program,  introduced Chris to the project, he eagerly embraced the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on education and advocate for Asian American voices. The project is now free to access for students beyond New York state, across the country. “It’s publicly available to everyone as a free resource, which is great, because honestly we’re so large — we’re the largest school district in the country— so smaller school districts that want to do this can just come to that website and download comic books, posters; all sorts of great resources,” stated Chris enthusiastically. 

This curriculum follows legislation proposed by New York State Senator John Liu, mandating the inclusion of AAPI history in schools across the state. It will be the mainstay of a new pilot program launched by the Department of Education, designed to teach students K-12 about the contributions, culture, and history of the Asian American community. “New York City houses the largest school system in the country,” said Chris. “We’ve got 1.2 million students— that’s about half of all the students in New York State. So right now, basically half the students in New York have access to this curriculum.” The launch of this program reflects the needs of the growing AAPI population in New York. According to the NYC Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, API is the fastest growing racial group in NYC, with the number of residents more than doubling from 490,000 in 1990 to 1.2 million in 2019.

Chris expounded that “this [project] is really about students studying a curriculum where they can see people like themselves, the struggles and also the successes. Before this, they could have looked at the curriculum and [would see] only stories of rich people, leaders, white people – after a while, if you don’t think about it, you’ll think those are the only people that matter.” He hopes that the Hidden Voices project will help “open the lens of history in New York schools to include people who are affecting society from every angle, including the margins.”

Education is also a central focus in AABANY’s two reports on anti-Asian hate and violence, and a major concern of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force. Chris was co-Executive Editor of both reports, Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York and A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions. Both reports focus heavily on education as a tool against anti-asian violence, and are referenced in Hidden Voices as resources. While Rising Tide focuses on public education campaigns, Endless Tide proposes anti-bias and cultural sensitivity programs. Both reports are part of the T3 project, which aims to incorporate a three-pronged approach to address anti-Asian hate, encompassing education and communication, advocacy, and research. Furthermore, Chris has served on the Task Force from inception and currently leads it as Chair.

Stressing the primacy of education, Chris declared: “It’s foundational and it’s slow, but it’s about people understanding their role, getting engaged with their local sphere to make the framework of the society we live in more fair…. It’s about a thousand little things that separately don’t seem to work together, but in the end, we have large scale social change.” The importance of education became even more pronounced in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic: In 2021, hate crimes against Asian New Yorkers were up 361% over the previous year. By educating students about the diverse experiences and contributions of Asian Americans, these initiatives promote unity, understanding, and cohesion within our communities. The mission of Hidden Voices aligns with Chris’ past work, including the reports published by AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force.

While this project is currently completed, Chris hopes that he will be able to work on part two, covering more key AAPI figures and historical events. However, there are no plans for that currently on the horizon. “If the public clamors for it,” Chris surmised, “then that will probably be more likely.” Chris encourages members of AABANY to actively support and promote the project, sharing its resources with those in their communities.

To access “Hidden Voices: Asian American and Pacific Islanders in the United States,” click here.

Posted on

AABANY Congratulates Jennifer H. Wu on Testifying before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights on the Federal Response to Anti-Asian Racism

On March 24, 2023, the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights (USCCR) organized a briefing to address the federal government’s response to anti-Asian racism in the United States. Jennifer H. Wu, Co-Chair of the AABANY Women’s Committee and a member of the AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, provided her testimony during the session. Jennifer highlighted the fact that none of her pro bono clients, who were victims of well-known anti-Asian hate crimes, had ever reported the crimes to federal agencies. “I am here, because I became a civil rights lawyer,” Jennifer declared, “because there has been no federal response to anti-Asian racism.”

During her testimony, Jennifer emphasized the importance of reading AABANY’s reports on anti-Asian violence in 2021 and 2022 to understand “the response from the local community to people in our community dying.” She acknowledged the precipitous rise in anti-Asian hate crimes in New York City and the growing atmosphere among of fear within the AAPI community during the pandemic. Jennifer called for comprehensive support for victims, including providing and advocating for qualified and experienced interpreters in interactions with the police and improved training and education. In addition, “[the] victims need wraparound services [such as] people to help them with [setting up a] Go Fund Me. In order to withdraw funds, you need [a] Social Security number from the United States as well as [a] bank account [in] the United States. They also need [the] ability to apply for U visas if they are undocumented. They need help with healthcare.” Jennifer, herself a daughter of immigrant parents and a mother of three children, expressed her deep “yearn[ing] for a better future.” 

AABANY extends our congratulations and gratitude to Jennifer for her outstanding efforts and advocacy work in support of the AAPI community during a most difficult and challenging time. Her invaluable pro bono work advising and assisting survivors and victims of anti-Asian violence in New York over the past few years were recognized with a Member of the Year Award at AABANY’s 2023 Annual Meeting. We commend her for her dedication and commitment.

To view the full hearing before the USCCR, please click here. 

To view the highlights of AAPI leaders who testified: 

  • Jo-Ann Yoo, Asian American Federation
  • John Yang, Asian Americans Advancing Justice
  • Cynthia Choi, Chinese for Affirmative Action
  • Jennifer Wu, Asian American Bar Association of New York
  • Manjusha P. Kulkarni, AAPI Equity Alliance

please click here. Thanks to Commissioner Magpantay for sharing the highlight video.

Proudly powered by WordPress