Tag: in the news

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In the News: Incoming President-Elect William Ng Quoted in Law360 Article About Ways Employers Can Help Asian Workers Amid Anti-Asian Violence

William Ng, incoming President-Elect at AABANY, was recently interviewed for a Law360 article published on February 26, 2021 titled “3 Ways Employers Can Help Asian Workers As Attacks Surge.” Law360 asked legal experts for tips they could share with employers on how they can create a safe environment for their Asian American employees at work during the rise of anti-Asian violence.

The first tip legal experts shared is to acknowledge the problem. Employers need to recognize and denounce the increase in anti-Asian hate crimes and bigotry. By doing this, it gives a voice to the Asian American community and lets them know that they are supported. The second tip is to have a game plan. William Ng suggested to Law360 that employers should have a plan for exactly how they will handle a situation of anti-Asian harassment or violence. He stated, “It’s just being aware of these issues and understanding, ‘Hey, if this happens, what will we be doing?'” Suggestions William Ng provided include assembling a security management team and being in contact with local law enforcement. The third tip experts suggested is that employers should use training to empower bystanders such as offering bystander intervention training and implicit bias training.

To read the full article, click here (subscription is required).

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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].

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

On February 11, AABANY held a press conference to discuss the release of its report co-authored with Paul, Weiss, A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions. Since the report’s release, news media across the country and around the world have summarized and cited its findings. 

Here are some news stories that discuss the report:

“Study Shows Rise of Hate Crimes, Violence Against Asian Americans During the Pandemic” By Zijia Eleanor Song and Jennifer Vázquez, February 11, 2021, NBC New York, https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/study-shows-rise-of-hate-crimes-violence-against-asian-americans-in-nyc-during-covid/2883215/

“지난해 뉴욕 아시안 대상 혐오·폭력 사건 급증” By Shim Jongmin, February 12, 2021, The Korea Daily, http://www.koreadaily.com/news/read.asp?art_id=9086440 

“Greater Asian-American representation in leadership ranks needed to stem hate crimes in the US, says report” By Mark Magnier and Owen Churchill, February 12, 2021, South China Morning Post, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3121518/greater-asian-american-representation-leadership-ranks-needed-stem-hate

“歧視亞裔 紐約市全美第2多 亞裔律師協會籲政府採取行動” By 顏潔恩, February 13, 2021, World Journal, https://www.worldjournal.com/wj/story/121381/5249694

“【武漢肺炎】紐約巿針對亞裔仇恨罪案大增7倍　分析指受害人不願報案問題被低估” February 13, 2021, Apple Daily, https://tw.appledaily.com/international/20210213/SRL5UCFZUZBJXAEQOKN42SY6I4/

“Amid COVID-19 Pandemic, Anti-Asian Violence Spikes Across the U.S.” February 15, 2021, NPR The Takeaway, https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/takeaway/segments/amid-covid-19-pandemic-anti-asian-violence-spikes-across-us 

“NY Bar Group Tackles Pandemic-Fueled Anti-Asian Crimes” By Marco Poggio, February 16, 2021, Law360, https://www.law360.com/pulse/articles/1354591 (subscription required)

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

“Anti-Asian Hate Crime Surge Fuels Demands for Systemic and Sensitive Responses” By Christine Chung, February 11, 2021, The City, https://www.thecity.nyc/2021/2/11/22279407/anti-asian-hate-crime-surge-fuels-demands-for-systemic-and-sensitive-responses 

“Remember, Racism Isn’t Just Black And White. Anti Asian Racism Is On the Rise in the Pandemic Era” By Eric Hinton, February 11, 2021, NBC 5 Dallas Fort-Worth, https://www.nbcdfw.com/lx/remember-racism-isnt-just-black-and-white-anti-asian-racism-is-on-the-rise-in-the-pandemic-era/2549631/ 

“VP Harris responds to surge in violent attacks against Asian Americans” By Hannah Miao, February 12, 2021, CNBC, https://www.cnbc.com/2021/02/12/vp-harris-responds-to-surge-in-violent-attacks-against-asian-americans.html 

“38 Ways to Donate in Support of Asian Communities” By The Editors, February 12, 2021, New York Magazine (The Strategist), https://nymag.com/strategist/article/where-to-donate-to-help-asian-communities-2021.html 

“大门涂粪诅咒！华人幼儿园遭种族仇恨攻击！暴力升级，全美亚裔吁政府采取行动！” By 新西兰中文先驱网, February 15, 2021, Chinese Herald, https://www.chineseherald.co.nz/news/education/racial-hate/ 

“Hundreds of volunteers are escorting elderly Asian Americans to keep them safe” By Austa Somvichian-Clausen, February 16, 2021, The Hill Changing America, https://thehill.com/changing-america/respect/equality/539083-attacks-on-elderly-asian-americans-cause-advocates-to-stand

The report has also made the news on WNYC-FM and MSNBC. 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].

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Over 100 Jurists of Color in New York, Including 6 AABANY Members from Queens, Sign Letter Affirming Equal Justice in Court

On July 8, 2020, over 100 jurists of color across New York, including 13 Queens judges of color, have added their names to a statewide letter affirming their commitment to equal justice and treatment under the law. Of the 13 Queens judges, six are members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY): Hon. Karen Gopee, Hon. Wyatt Gibbons, Hon. Phillip Hom, Hon. Dean Kusakabe, Hon. John Lansden, and Hon. Toko Serita.

Led by Syracuse City Court Judge Derrek Thomas, the group formed to address the community in light of George Floyd’s murder and the nationwide protests that followed.

The letter stated: “We reaffirm our commitment to make a positive difference within our respective courts each day and to ensure that those appearing before us are treated equally, with the respect and dignity that both the law and humanity require.”

To read more about the letter, see this Queens Eagle article.

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In The News: Ryan D. Budhu’s Op-Ed on Police Brutality And George Floyd Published in USA Today

On June 19, 2020, USA Today published an Op-Ed written by Ryan D. Budhu, a member of the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and past president of the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY).

In the article, Budhu recounts his personal experience with police brutality, when his brother died in the custody of the NYPD. He also reflects on this tragedy in relation to the death of George Floyd, and the need for allyship between South Asian and Black communities. He writes: “I have a duty to listen to and help address inequities, especially those that affect Black lives within the circles that I occupy.”

To read the full article, click here.

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In The News: AABANY Member Tsui Yee Quoted in NPR Story on Immigration

AABANY Member and immigration attorney Tsui Yee was recently quoted in an NPR story by Alina Selyukh entitled “Will Filing For Unemployment Hurt My Green Card? Legal Immigrants Are Afraid.”

As the coronavirus pandemic continues to spread and leave millions of people jobless, legal immigrants working and paying taxes in the US fear that applying for unemployment might jeopardize their immigration cases. Tsui noted that even though these individuals are eligible to collect unemployment, many chose not to out of fear that doing so will somehow trigger a red flag with immigration services.

To read the full story, click here.

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In The News: Law 360 Article “Responding To DOJ’s Increasing Int’l Antitrust Extraditions” Co-Authored by Brian Song

On April 1, 2020, Law 360 published an article co-authored by Immediate Past President Brian Song. The article is entitled “Responding To DOJ’s Increasing Int’l Antitrust Extraditions.”

The article discusses how the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice is increasingly using extradition to prosecute individuals alleged to have violated U.S. law. It discusses various recent cases where extradition has successfully been exercised, mainly from Italy and Germany, by the Department of Justice solely based on an antitrust charge.

The article notes that foreign nationals facing prosecution by the Antitrust Division have few choices of recourse. They include pleading guilty in exchange for the possibility for lower sentences, hunkering down in their home country and not traveling abroad, and seeking to have the charges dismissed on constitutional or statute of limitation grounds from abroad.

However, since the options available to foreign defendants are limited, and given the success of recent extraditions, foreign defendants should consider their options very carefully.

To read the full article, click on the following links:

https://www.bakerlaw.com/webfiles/Litigation/2020/Alerts/Obrien-Law360s.pdf

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In The News: Chris Kwok’s Op-Ed on Weaponized Coronavirus Language Against Asian-Americans Published in the New York Daily News

On March 26, 2020, the New York Daily News published an op-ed co-authored by Chris Kwok. The piece is entitled “Weaponized coronavirus language is endangering Asian-American lives.” (Chris, who sits on the AABANY Board and chairs the Issues Committee, co-wrote the op-ed in his capacity as a Board member of the Asian American Federation).

The article discusses how anti-Asian rhetoric and labeling the coronavirus as “the Chinese virus” is endangering the lives of Asian Americans across the United States. It also provides historical examples of what happens when you link a disease to a particular group of people. It can easily lead to stigma and violence against that group. For example, in the 14th century, Jews were accused of spreading the Bubonic Plague in Europe and massacred. Similarly, in the 1980s to 1990s gay people were blamed for spreading AIDS and suffered violence as a result.

Furthermore, the article notes that this is not the first time Asian Americans have faced something like this in the United States. In the 1850s to 1890s, the Chinese were accused of being carriers of venereal disease and leprosy. As a result of the openly anti-Chinese rhetoric during that period, Chinese people were “…rounded up into thousands of railroad cars, steamers, or logging rafts, marched out of town, or killed.”

Now, history seems to be repeating itself as the spread of the coronavirus pandemic is falsely being attributed to Asian Americans. In recent weeks we have seen a spike in xenophobic incidents targeting Asian Americans throughout the nation. Such incidents include “…Asian Americans being beaten, slashed, kicked, spat at, sprayed with things, yelled at or ostracized in public.” To make matters worse, President Trump’s deliberate campaign to label the coronavirus as “the Chinese virus” has put Asian Americans at an even higher risk.

To read the full article, click here.

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In The News: Beatrice Leong Interviewed on “This is Uncomfortable”

On January 30, 2020, AABANY Membership Director Beatrice Leong was interviewed by Reema Khrais on her podcast called “This Is Uncomfortable.” During the interview which was broadcast on NPR, Beatrice shared a very personal story about why she decided to become a divorce lawyer. After graduating from college Beatrice and her long time boyfriend, someone she had been with since the age of 16, got married and moved in together. He worked as a financial consultant, and Beatrice went to law school. However, their relationship took a turn for the worst when Beatrice uncovered his infidelity. After a long back and forth internally, she realized divorce was her only choice. Having graduated from law school, she decided to be her own advocate and joined a family law practice to learn more about divorce law. Beatrice recounted her own consultation with a divorce attorney, found it cold and unsympathetic, and believed that she would make a better matrimonial lawyer, one who understands the emotional trauma that her clients may be undergoing.

The interview talks about the complicated dynamics that accompany a divorce, including how financially and emotionally draining it can be. To hear more of Beatrice’s story, click on the following link: https://www.marketplace.org/shows/this-is-uncomfortable-reema-khrais/divorce-story/

Congratulations to Beatrice on her interview. If you would like to meet her in person and talk with her about her experiences, consider going to the Membership Mixer on February 19. Details at https://www.aabany.org/events/event_details.asp?legacy=1&id=1325644

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In the News: AABANY Co-Sponsors Reenactment of Supreme Court Cases Ozawa & Thind

On May 23, 2019 AABANY co-sponsored a reenactment of the Supreme Court cases Takao Ozawa v. United States (1922) and United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind (1923) in the Ceremonial Courtroom at 225 Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn. The two historical cases describe the exclusionary immigration policies that prevented Asian immigrants from becoming naturalized citizens. The reenactment scripts were written by longtime AABANY members Kathy Hirata Chin and her husband, the Hon. Denny Chin. The event was jointly sponsored by the South Asian Bar Association of New York (SABANY) and was held in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, during the month of May. The event was covered by the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.

The Brooklyn Daily Eagle reported on the history of these reenactments, “The Chins began writing and performing these reenactments 12 years ago, and every year they create a new performance based on a different case. Judge Chin explained that they look for cases of importance historically and that still resonate today.”

To read the full article, please click here.