WASHINGTON – As reported by the Associated Press, Donald J. Trump and his running mate, J.D. Vance, have earned a sufficient number of electoral votes to be the next President and Vice President of the United States. NAPABA congratulates them and is committed to working with the new administration and Congress to advance the interests of the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community.
The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization representing the interests of well over 80,000 AANHPI legal professionals. Our community is diverse, spanning across cultures, language, and political ideologies. NAPABA has worked diligently with presidents, administrations, and congressional members of both parties to advance the interests of our community.
As an organization of legal professionals, we bear a special responsibility to uphold the rule of law. NAPABA will continue to advance justice, with the AANHPI community at the forefront along with all communities of color, our values, and our policy positions. We must partner together, despite our political differences, for our country to achieve progress.
“An attack against one Asian-American is an attack against all of us” – Gene Kang, Immediate Past President of Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York
On Tuesday, July 30, 2024, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY) and the Korean American Lawyers Association of New York (KALAGNY) organized and led a court-watching event at the New York Supreme Court. The event was held to support Christina’s family at the sentencing of Assamad Nash, who pleaded guilty to one count each of Murder in the Second Degree and Burglary in the First Degree as a Sexually Motivated Felony. Nash was sentenced by Hon. Laura A. Ward to 30 years to life in prison for the brutal murder of Christina Yuna Lee.
Sungkon Lee, Christina Yuna Lee’s Father
Christina Yuna Lee’s life was tragically cut short on February 13, 2022, when Nash broke into her apartment and stabbed her more than 40 times. On June 18, 2024, Nash pleaded guilty. His sentencing on July 30, over two years since the tragedy, marks a step toward justice for her family.
On the morning of the sentencing at approximately 9:30 AM, a crowd gathered in the hallway outside the courtroom, unified in purpose and voice. Among them were members of the Asian American community, standing in solidarity to seek justice for Christina Yuna Lee. Organizations such as Stand with Asian Americans, the Korean American Family Service Center, and the Committee of 100 were among the many groups present. Reporters and journalists waited outside the courtroom for the arrival of Lee’s father, Sungkon Lee, and her aunt, Boksun Lee, who were accompanied by their attorney, Charles Yoon, and friends.
Inside the courtroom, the audience awaited the arrival of Assamad Nash. When he was brought in, Ms. Lee shed a few tears upon seeing the man who had murdered her niece. Christina’s father, Sungkon Lee, and her aunt, Boksun Lee, took the stand first with their victim impact statements.
Sungkon Lee’s voice trembled with emotion as he spoke about his daughter’s vibrant spirit and the immense void her death had left in their lives. He painted a picture of a loving daughter whose dreams and potential were cruelly cut short, urging the court to impose the maximum sentence for the senseless act.
Boksun Lee spoke in Korean, with her words translated for the court. Her speech was a heartfelt plea for justice, highlighting the deep familial bonds they shared and how Christina was like a daughter to her. She explained that Christina’s mother was unable to attend because it was too difficult for her to face her daughter’s murderer. Boksun shared that Christina’s mother still struggles to eat, demonstrating that even after two years, they continue to contend with the trauma and pain.
The bravery of the father and aunt in standing before the judge, sharing their thoughts, and facing Mr. Nash left the audience saddened and teary-eyed listening to the emotional details they recounted.
After their statements, Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yorna addressed the Court to read an excerpt from a letter jointly submitted by the Korean American Lawyers Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY) and the Asian American Bar Association of New York (AABANY). She read out this part of the letter:
Ms. Lee’s violent death deeply shocked New York City’s AAPI community, which has been suffering from numerous attacks, especially since the pandemic. A sentence of 30 years to life is just and commensurate with the brutal and senseless nature of Defendant’s crime, which caused Ms. Lee to suffer while he attempted to sexually assault her and repeatedly stabbed her with a kitchen knife until she died. Additionally, the sentence is necessary to send a message that leniency will not be shown to perpetrators of these types of violent crimes against Asian Americans, which would help deter this type of conduct in the future. Sentencing the Defendant to 30 years to life would not only ensure that he remains off the streets of our city, where many Asian Americans in recent years often fear for their safety, but it would also help the healing process for Ms. Lee’s family as well as the AAPI community, which is still struggling to recover from the surge in hate crimes in New York.
Justice Ward then directed her attention to Mr. Lee and addressed the courtroom, stating, “No parent should have to bury their child.” The courtroom was silent, as everyone collectively reflected on the senselessness of the crime and the profound impact it had on the family and the community. When asked if he had any final words, Mr. Nash remained silent.
Following the sentencing, a press conference was held at Collect Pond Park, across the street from the courthouse, led by Charles Yoon, attorney for the Lee family. Sungkon Lee addressed the crowd, focusing on two systemic issues that contributed to the tragedy: New York State bail reform and inadequate police response. Mr. Lee highlighted how New York State’s bail reform laws allowed Nash to be free at the time of the murder. He argued that these laws failed to protect innocent citizens and demanded accountability from elected officials and law enforcement. Prior to the murder, Nash had been charged with the illegal sale of a subway fare, escaping from the police after being caught damaging MetroCard machines, and punching a commuter in the face. During his arraignment for those charges, Nash was freed without having to post bail. Mr. Lee also criticized the police response, which took over an hour and twenty minutes to enter the apartment, even though they had arrived on the scene within a few minutes. The family announced their lawsuit against the city and urged the Mayor to name a homeless shelter in Christina’s honor as a preventative measure and a tribute to her memory. Lee’s words were a powerful call for reform and accountability, highlighting the need for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies.
Several community leaders spoke at the press conference, expressing their support for the Lee family and their commitment to advocating for justice.
Kwang Suk Kim, president of the Korean American Association of Greater New York (KAAGNY)
Kwang Suk Kim, president of the Korean American Association of Greater New York (KAAGNY), delivered a brief yet impactful message. He emphasized the importance of commemorating Christina’s life through public facilities, ensuring her legacy would serve as a reminder of the community’s strength and resilience. He pledged KAAGNY’s support for initiatives that would honor Christina’s memory and promote community safety.
Elaine Chiu, Professor of Law at St. John’s University and past Chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force
Elaine Chiu, a Professor of Law at St. John’s University and past Chair of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, spoke next, on behalf of AABANY. She highlighted the significance of Christina’s murder as a focal point in the ongoing crisis of anti-Asian hate and violence. “Even though this case was not charged as a hate crime, the truth was that yet another Asian New Yorker died a gruesome and violent death, one that she had done nothing to provoke, nothing at all,” she stated. Chiu added, “Many of our friends and family, our elderly relatives, our neighbors were afraid, deeply afraid, and for more than a year, many of us had stopped going out, stopped going out at night, stopped taking the subways and other public transportation, stopped speaking their first languages out in public, and making eye contact with strangers, out of fear.” Chiu emphasized that the community must remain vigilant, participate actively, and speak out and stand up for justice. She highlighted the importance of using the rule of law to combat hate crimes and ensure justice for victims. Chiu also cited AABANY’s court-watching initiative as a way to support victims and their families by bearing witness in the courtroom and demanding accountability.
Lawrence Han, president of KALAGNY
Following Chiu’s address, Lawrence Han, president of KALAGNY, offered prayers and thoughts to Christina Yuna Lee’s friends and family, stating that the sentencing, though a small measure of justice, served as a stark reminder of the commitment to stand against hate and advocate for safety. He urged the community to work together to overcome hate and violence, emphasizing the need for solidarity and vigilance.
Gene Kang, the immediate past president of KALAGNY
Lastly, Gene Kang, the immediate past president of KALAGNY, delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of sending a strong message that violence against the Asian community will not be tolerated. He called on prosecutors, including Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg’s office, and law enforcement to “remain vigilant and zealously prosecute crimes against Asian Americans.” Kang also urged elected officials to reconsider plans for additional homeless shelters in predominantly Asian areas to prevent similar tragedies. He concluded his remarks by stating, “An attack against one Asian American is an attack against all of us.”
The court-watching event also prompted personal reflections from attendees who were moved by the proceedings and the sense of community solidarity. Emily Kam, an AABANY intern, shared her thoughts: “I felt sick, without direction or purpose. It seemed as though we would never be able to fully prevent sick acts such as these from happening. But I found comfort in Mr. Lee’s words as he spoke at the press conference. To preserve her memory, Mr. Lee discussed his wishes to establish a homeless shelter in Christina Yuna Lee’s name. A spur of hope persevered within me, despite the circumstances. To watch how strong this family was in the face of such adversity, to watch how they were already thinking of the future and its promises was inspiring to watch.”
Rita Zheng, another attendee and AABANY intern, echoed a similar sentiment. She shared: “Although I could not see [the face of Christina’s father Sungkon Lee] from where I was sitting, his sobs between words were audible throughout the courtroom. Every attendee gave him their full attention as he described the anguish he felt due to his daughter’s passing, stating that his family will ‘continue to live in unbearable pain.’ [Boksun Lee, Christina’s aunt] … stated that the sentencing of this case did not matter to her, as all she wants is to have Christina back and sincerely hopes that this never happens to anybody else in the community. I agree with this sentiment – the crime had already been committed and while it is important that justice is served and leniency is not shown, what is more important is that this never happens again. As the prosecutor had stated, no parent should go through the heartbreak that is burying their own child. No one’s life should be taken abruptly from them.”
As the press conference concluded, attendees felt renewed hope and determination. The tragic loss of Christina Yuna Lee reminds us of the need for change and has inspired community leaders, legal professionals, and activists to collaborate to prevent future violence. The Asian American community in New York City is dedicated to transforming this tragedy into a catalyst for promoting safety, unity, and justice for all. The words spoken during the court hearing and press conference serve as a reminder that the fight against hate and violence goes on. The community remains vigilant in advocating for justice and ensuring that Christina’s legacy lives on through safer communities. Because an attack against one Asian American is an attack against all, the community must stand united in its commitment to justice and equity.
AABANY thanks the many organizations, leaders, and individuals who supported the Lee family during this culmination of a long ordeal. Our solidarity sends a strong message that violence and hate will not be tolerated. Through collective action, advocacy, and remembrance, we honor Christina Yuna Lee’s memory and strive for a just and equitable future.
If you need help navigating the courts and legal system as a victim of anti-Asian hate, please reach out to AABANY’s HEART (Hate Eradication Active Response Team) and the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF). We’re here to help, support, and advocate. These efforts are vital in preventing future tragedies. As the community moves forward, it does so with renewed determination to create a world where everyone can live without fear.
Special thanks to Elaine Chiu for organizing this court-watching event.
Written by Daphne Mei, Program Manager, AABANY Anti-Asian Violence Task Force
Contact: Rahat N. Babar, Deputy Executive Director for Policy
WASHINGTON – The National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA) mourns the passing of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, a trailblazer in our Nation and the first woman on the Supreme Court of the United States.
“For a generation, Justice O’Connor blazed the trail for those who thought that the highest pinnacle of the legal profession was unattainable,” said Anna Mercado Clark, President of NAPABA. “She proved that not only was it possible, but inevitable. During her tenure on the Court, she addressed the Nation’s most difficult issues and strived for consensus—a hallmark of her career both before and during her time on the Court. Even during her retirement, Justice O’Connor devoted her time to service and championed the cause of civic education—a cause that goes to the core of our democracy. On behalf of the entire NAPABA community, we send our heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Despite graduating near the top of her class at Stanford Law School, Justice O’Connor struggled to find a role within the profession and was initially offered a secretarial position. Steadily through the course of her life, she demonstrated the tenacity that led to her success. She started her legal career in public service in California and later in Arizona. She served in the Arizona Senate, becoming the first woman to ever serve as Majority Leader. Justice O’Connor then served on the Maricopa County Superior Court in 1974, ultimately being elevated to the Arizona Court of Appeals in 1979. In 1981, President Ronald Reagan nominated Justice O’Connor for the Supreme Court, and the United States Senate confirmed her nomination with a vote of 99-0. She retired from the Court in 2006.
AABANY co-sponsored the Inaugural Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program on May 31, 2023, organized by and held at the Appellate Division, Second Department of the Supreme Court of the State of New York.
Congratulations to Hon. Randall T. Eng, Retired Presiding Justice of the Appellate Division, Second Department for this award named in recognition of his tremendous and trailblazing career and impact on the AAPI community.
Congratulations to Congresswoman Grace Meng, 6th Congressional District. As the first and only Asian American Member of Congress from New York State, it is only fitting that she is the first recipient of the Hon. Randall T. Eng award. Congresswoman Meng’s advocacy for the AAPI community is impactful and far-reaching and AABANY applauds her tremendous work and service, including her work towards the creation of a national museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture.
Congratulations to Presiding Justice Hector D. LaSalle and the Appellate Division, Second Department with the successful launch of the Hon. Randall T. Eng Award Program.
The Program included remarks from:
Hon. Lara J. Genovesi, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department
Hon. Hector D. LaSalle, Presiding Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department
Letitia James, New York State Attorney General
Melinda Katz, District Attorney of Queens
Hon. Lillian Wan, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, Second Department
Karen Kim, President, AABANY
Chief Judge Hon. Rowan D. Wilson was also in attendance, as well as the distinguished judges of the Appellate Division, Second Department, and Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez. We would also like to extend our appreciation to the Associate Judges of the Court of Appeals, Hon. Madeline Singas, Michael Garcia, and Anthony Cannataro, for their attendance.
It was a privilege to collaborate with the Hon. Lillian Wan and the co-sponsoring bar associations: KALAGNY, FALANY, SABANY, MUBANY, and SAICBAQ. This event provided a meaningful and memorable way to celebrate and close out AAPI Heritage Month.
On May 18, 2023, the Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission presented “Empowered Asian American Leadership” at the New York County Supreme Court at 60 Centre Street, in celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The program was co-sponsored by AABANY, the New York State Unified Court Systems Office of Diversity and Inclusion, the Asian American Judges Association of New York, and the Asian Jade Society of the New York State Courts.
AABANY member Hon. Jeffrey Oing, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department; Commissioner, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, introduced the Keynote Address, “The Model Minority Victim,” delivered by AABANY member and former Chair of the AABANY: Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, Professor Elaine M. Chiu of St. John’s University School of Law.
Pre-recorded remarks by Chief Judge Rowan D. Wilson commenced the program.
Welcome Remarks were provided by:
Hon. Shahabuddeen A. Ally, Supervising Judge, New York County Civil Court and Acting Justice of the New York Supreme Court; President of AAJANY; Commissioner, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission, and AABANY member
Hon. Troy K. Webber, Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department; Co-Chair, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission
Hon. Richard Rivera, Acting Supreme Court Justice and Supervising Judge of the Family Courts, Third Judicial District; Co-Chair, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission
Karen Kim, Senior Counsel at QBE North America; President, AABANY
The program also included CLE presentations, introduced by AABANY member Rina Gurung, Judge, Housing Part, New York City Civil Court; Commissioner, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission.
“The Path to Success and Overcoming Obstacles” was moderated by the Hon. Austin D’Souza, Judge, Civil Court of the City of New York Kings County and AABANY member. Panelists were:
Hon. Zainab A. Chaudhry – Judge, New York State Court of Claims, and AABANY member
Lieutenant Henry Chen– New York County Civil Court, Co-Founder and President, NYSC
Asian Jade Society; Commissioner, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission
“Positive Action to Combat the Perpetual Foreigner Syndrome and Empowering the Community” was moderated by the AABANY member Hon. Doris Ling-Cohan, former Associate Justice, Appellate Division, First Department; Commissioner, Franklin H. Williams Judicial Commission. Panelists were:
Joseb “Joe” Gim, Esq. – Chief, Criminal Court Unit, Kings County District Attorney’s Office
Christina Seid – Community Activist, Entrepreneur, Chinatown Ice Cream Factory, and AABANY member
President Frank H. Wu – President, Queens College, The City University of New York (CUNY)
Tony Walters, Director, New York State Unified Court System’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion provided Closing Remarks.
AABANY was privileged and honored to co-sponsor this event and thanks the Franklin H. Williams Commission for organizing it. AABANY thanks the speakers for sharing their knowledge and insights on important issues affecting the AAPI community. For more information about the Williams Commission visit their website at https://ww2.nycourts.gov/ip/ethnic-fairness/index.shtml
NAPABA invites you to join us on May 22-23 in Washington, DC for NAPABA’s 12th annual Lobby Day, taking place in-person for the first time in three years!
The NAPABA Annual Lobby Day is an opportunity for NAPABA members from across the country to educate members of Congress and Congressional staffers on issues of importance to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. Lobby Day also gives members an active role in promoting NAPABA’s mission of advocating for justice, equity, and opportunity for AAPIs.
Lobby Day activities and events include:
3-Part Training Event
Hill Visits
Happy Hour Debrief
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Congressional Reception (Open to the public. Pre-registration is required.)
Mark your calendars and save the date for NAPABA’s 12th annual Lobby Day, May 22-23, taking place in Washington, DC.
Lobby Day is an opportunity for NAPABA members from across the country to educate members of Congress and Congressional staffers on issues of importance to the AAPI community. NAPABA’s Lobby Day is not only about supporting important legislation, but ensuring that your voices and advocacy for justice, equity, and opportunity for all AAPIs are heard from your home districts to the halls of Congress!
On May 31, 2022, AABANY released its second report on anti-Asian hate and violence in New York City, entitled Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. The report examines the increased incidents of violence against Asian Americans in 2021 and proposes solutions to combat the lack of justice. Endless Tide is dedicated to the memory of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American autoworker murdered 40 years ago in an act of racial violence outside of Detroit.
AABANY held a press conference on the morning of May 31 at the offices of Paul, Weiss in midtown Manhattan. Remarks were delivered by Eva Zhao, the widow of Zhiwen Yan, the delivery worker who was murdered in Forest Hills.
“I want justice.” said Eva Zhao. “I really don’t want to see another family go through the same kind of pain.”
(On June 1, Glenn Hirsch was arrested on charges of murdering Zhiwen Yan.)
AABANY was also joined by numerous elected officials and community leaders including Council Member Sandra Ung, State Senator John Liu, Assembly Member Ron Kim, Partner at Paul, Weiss and former United States Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and Regional Director New York/New Jersey for the ADL Scott Richman.
“We can make people safe, We can make people feel welcomed in their communities. We can give them peace and security.” Loretta Lynch noted. “We can eliminate this hate that is based on nothing more than a distinction without a difference.”
Endless Tide has received widespread coverage in the media since its release. The report has been cited by more than a dozen different publications to date, including CNN, CBS News, NBC News, and the New York Law Journal:
AABANY thanks everyone who made this project possible. Special thanks to NAPABA for selecting AABANY as a recipient of its 2022 Affiliate Grant Program. The NAPABA Affiliate Grant Program supports affiliates and national associates in carrying out activities to further their missions and goals. To read the full report, please click on the image above. To view the press conference, please click here.
Elaine Chiu, Professor of Law at St. John’s School of Law, Academic Committee Co-Chair, and member of the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force at AABANY, detailed how hate crimes have affected Asian Americans in the United States in a special interview on a Korean Radio Show, Morning Wave In Busan, on June 6th, 2022.
Prof. Chiu provided an overview of the situation by referring to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. The Center reported that anti-Asian hate crimes have increased by 339% from 2020 to 2021. This alarming percentage is exemplified by the growing number of news reports and stories of Asian hate crimes experienced by Asian Americans across the country.
Focusing specifically on New York City, Prof. Chiu, along with other members of AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, looked at the number of hate incidents against Asians reported to the New York City Police Department. In 2020, Prof. Chiu mentioned 28 hate crimes reported, in contrast to 2021, when a total of 131 hate crimes were accounted for in their report. This unprecedented increase of 361% traces back to the outbreak of the pandemic in March 2020. AABANY reported this in greater detail in its Endless Tidereport, which followed the Rising Tide report published in 2021, to raise awareness about the hate crimes and violence that the AAPI community has experienced over the last two years.
Prof. Chiu also states that AAPI Americans have long been victims of racial violence, discrimination, and exclusion. One of the most well-known victims of hate crimes is Vincent Chin. Chin, who was brutally murdered after being beaten by two white men in Detroit, caused an uproar Asian American community after his assailants received a mere $3000 fine and probation upon sentencing. Forty years after Chin’s brutal murder, Prof. Chiu states that it is clear that the pandemic did not create hate crimes against Asians but instead led to them.
She also states that the explosion of hate crimes against AAPI persons can be attributed to the divisiveness pervasive in the United States, as demonstrated during Trump’s presidency when he enabled xenophobia against Asians by calling COVID-19 the “Kung Flu.” Moreover, with the rise of China as a global superpower, the racial lines are further exacerbated and felt by many Chinese Americans residing in the United States today. Prof. Chiu also states that the steady demise of mental health resources and Americans’ ready access to guns and deadly assault weapons can be contributing factors to this issue.
Prof. Chiu ended the interview by affirming President Biden’s meeting with BTS (방탄소년단), a world famous K-pop group. BTS was invited to the White House to talk about Asian representation and address the amount of misinformation regarding the rise in Anti Asian hate crimes. Prof. Chiu further highlighted the importance of how President Biden and BTS’s efforts extend a sense of hope and positivity for many. With the continued rise in hate crimes and attacks against Asians, Prof. Chiu called on everyone on social media, especially those who have influence and following like BTS, to continue to visibly oppose and actively resist hate crimes against the AAPI community.
Listen to Prof. Chiu’s full interview with Morning Wave In Busan here.
On March 16, Stand with Asian Americans held a rally to mark the one-year anniversary of the Atlanta shootings. From 6:30pm to 8:00pm, more than 1,000 attendees gathered in Times Square to remember the victims and call for change. The event was part of a nationwide series of rallies held in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Sacramento, San Francisco, Twin Cities, and Washington, D.C.
AABANY intern Han Wen Zhang participated as the New York City livestreamer. The livestreams from each city were woven into a national 12-hour webcast titled Break the Silence: Justice for Asian Women. The program featured speeches from community leaders, government officials, and training videos on personal safety and bystander intervention.
The New York City rally included a lineup of speakers and performers, including Executive Director of the Asian American Federation Jo-Ann Yoo, journalist and New York Times bestselling author Min Jin Lee, Governor Kathy Hochul, Chinese American rapper Bohan Phoenix and actor and musician Perry Yung.
Attendees and passersby were given colorful posters based on Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya’s public art series “We Are More.” Event organizers also passed out yellow whistles, with “We Belong” inscribed on one side. To learn more about this event, please visit https://www.asianjusticemovement.org/awr.
