Justin Go Archives - WE Blog @ AABANY

February 19, 2026February 24, 2026

AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force Leads Fourth Anniversary Prayer Walk for Michelle Go

On the morning of Thursday, January 15, 2026, nearly 50 people braved the bone-chilling winds in Times Square to participate in a Prayer Walk commemorating the anniversary of Michelle Alyssa Go’s passing.

Four years ago, on an early Saturday morning, Michelle was standing near the edge of the downtown R subway platform at Times Square when Martial Simon charged at her and pushed her in front of an oncoming train, leading to her death.

Simon, then a 61-year-old homeless man with a history of schizophrenia and prior arrests, was later charged with second-degree murder in connection with Michelle’s death. This act of violence is a tragic example of the surge in anti-Asian hate incidents occurring in America during the COVID-19 pandemic. As noted by the Pew Research Center in 2023, anti-Asian sentiment rose following inflammatory political rhetoric, disinformation, and online extremism, specifically public officials’ use of terms like “Chinese Virus.” Though Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ) reported a slight decline in 2025 from 2023, anti-Asian hate crimes were still nearly triple pre-pandemic levels. California, New Jersey, New York, Washington, and Massachusetts reported the highest frequency.

During the Prayer Walk, Reverend Cristobal Tong led the group to four specific stops, following the routine route Michelle took that day. Justin Go, Michelle’s father, shared highlights of her tragically short life with the mourners. Born in Berkeley and raised in Fremont, California, Michelle earned a degree in economics from UCLA in 2002, an MBA from NYU in 2010, and later worked at Deloitte in mergers and acquisitions. Michelle was an avid traveler who had explored the Caribbean as a child and frequently traveled to visit friends. Justin highlighted Michelle’s selfless nature, noting that she spent her free time volunteering to help homeless people and assist low-income New Yorkers through the New York Junior League. Despite his grief, Justin emphasized the importance of celebrating Michelle’s life and encouraged loved ones to let their suffering be temporary, as Michelle would have wanted them to continue finding joy in life.

The Prayer Walk drew participation from a broad range of community figures and prominent Asian American New Yorkers. Notable attendees included attorney and activist Rockwell ‘Rocky’ Chin and retired U.S. Magistrate Judge Marilyn Go, both of whom are Co-Founders of AABANY. Additionally, Rachel Lee, President of Stand with Asian Americans and Co-Chair of AABANY’s Issues Committee, played a key role in organizing the walk.

I asked Elaine Chiu, a professor at St. John’s University School of Law, who attended the Prayer Walk, about the justice that may or may not be served for the Go family. Professor Chiu, who had previously chaired the Anti-Asian Violence Task Force, discussed the systemic failures surrounding this legal case. She emphasized that lawyers need to recognize that the justice system was not designed to effectively prosecute or assess individuals with severe and fluctuating mental instability. Furthermore, she lamented that the system is currently unequipped to provide defendant Martial Simon with adequate mental health care or to offer the Go family the justice they deserve.

Simon was initially deemed mentally unfit for trial and held at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center. After treatment, he passed a mental health evaluation in April 2024 but stopped taking his medication upon being transferred to Rikers Island. His disruptive behavior during a court appearance on April 30 resulted in his return to Kirby.

In response to systemic mental health issues, Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation on May 9, 2025, allocating over $196 million to improve statewide mental health care, including $160 million for 100 new forensic inpatient psychiatric beds in New York City, and strengthening involuntary commitment laws and Kendra’s Law, which allows judges to mandate Assisted Outpatient Treatment (AOT) for individuals with severe mental illness who cannot safely live in the community without supervision. This law ultimately aims to prevent dangerous relapses while protecting both the public and the patient.

The Prayer Walk concluded at the R Times Square subway station, where the group stood on the platform to pray near the site where Michelle was murdered four years ago. Michelle was only 40 at the time of her death, and attendees who knew her remembered her as a bright and kind individual. Her death continues to fuel concerns regarding anti-Asian violence and the “revolving door” of psychiatric institutionalization. While the prosecution remains determined to bring Martial Simon to trial, the community continues to pray that lasting justice will finally be achieved.

The Prayer Walk was organized by AABANY’s Anti-Asian Violence Task Force (AAVTF), established in response to the surge in anti-Asian hate during COVID-19. The Task Force, at its formation five years ago, included leadership from AABANY’s Issues, Pro Bono and Community Service, Prosecutors, Student Outreach, Legal Referral and Information Service, and Academic Committees. Partnering with AABANY’s affiliate, the Asian American Law Fund of New York (AALFNY), the AAVTF launched the Turning the Tide (T3) Project, a comprehensive initiative focused on education, communication, advocacy, and research. After releasing two reports, the AAVTF produced a documentary, “Voices Against Anti-Asian Hate,” which humanized victims’ and survivors’ experiences and was nominated for best short documentary at the New York Independent Art Film Fest. Throughout 2025, the film was screened nineteen times for various groups. A notable screening at the Asia Society featured a moving panel with Justin Go, Michelle Go’s father, and Sungkon Lee, Christina Yuna Lee’s father.

To view more photos from the Prayer Walk, click this link to the photo album. To learn more about AAVTF, please email [email protected].

July 8, 2025July 8, 2025

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

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.

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 [email protected].

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

April 3, 2025April 3, 2025

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?

January 28, 2025January 28, 2025

AABANY Members Join Third Anniversary Prayer Walk for Michelle Go

On Wednesday, January 15, 2024, two dozen people braved the chilling morning winds of Times Square to join a prayer walk commemorating the anniversary of the death of Michelle Alyssa Go.

Three years before, on an early Saturday morning, as Michelle stood near the edge of the downtown R subway platform, Martial Simon charged toward her and pushed her to her death onto the front of an oncoming train. Simon, a 61-year-old homeless man with a history of schizophrenia and prior arrests was charged with second-degree murder for Michelle Go’s death.

Simon was found mentally unfit to stand trial and has been incarcerated at Kirby Forensic Psychiatric Center, a maximum-security state psychiatric institution. Doctors have been treating Simon and in April 2024, he passed a mental health evaluation. However, he refused to take medications after being moved to Rikers Island. When brought into court on April 30, 2024, Simon began yelling uncontrollably and was removed from the courtroom. Simon has since been incarcerated at Kirby.

Participants in the walk included Justin Go, the father of Michelle, and Michelle’s brother, Jefferey Go, who both live in California and had flown to New York City the weekend before. A number of the walkers were AABANY members, including Jennifer Wu and Larry Wee, Board Directors of AABANY, who have devoted much time assisting victims and the families of victims of anti-Asian violence in New York City; Marilyn Go (no relation to Michelle), retired U.S. Magistrate Judge and former AABANY Board member, helped organize the prayer walk for this year’s commemoration, as well as walks on the first and second anniversaries of Michelle’s death. Also participating in the walk were community organizer Liz Ouyang and members of the Manhattan District Attorney’s Office.

The walk began shortly after 10 a.m. with Reverend Cristobal Tong, a Pastor at 3Stone/NYCAC welcoming the group and saying a prayer in remembrance of Michelle. Rev. Tong then led the group to the R subway station, walking down Broadway and entering the station at the 42^nd Street entrance. After going down the escalator and praying, the group walked down the stairs to pray on the platform where Michelle was standing when pushed by Simon.

Michelle Go, only 40 at the time of her death, was beautiful, bright, and kind. She earned an M.B.A. from the New York University Stern School of Business. She worked first at Barclays Capital and then joined Deloitte, where she concentrated on mergers and acquisitions. A member of the Junior League, she volunteered for over ten years to help the poor and homeless before her senseless death.

The killing of Michelle Go has impacted many residents of New York City in many ways, including raising fears that they could be the next victim of random violence. For Asian Americans, such fears are heightened given the dramatic rise in anti-Asian violence and hate since 2020, as documented in two reports issued by AABANY and the Asian American Law Fund of New York, A Rising Tide of Hate and Violence against Asian Americans in New York During COVID-19: Impact, Causes, Solutions, and Endless Tide: The Continuing Struggle to Overcome Anti-Asian Hate in New York. Although the NY Police Department officer did not check the box that this killing was a hate crime in his crime scene report, Simon admitted when he voluntarily surrendered to the police that he was aware of Michelle’s race.

Moreover, the status of the trial of Simon for Michelle’s murder raises the troubling question why was he released from a psychiatric institution in the first place? Referring to Michelle’s case, Governor Hochul in her State of the Union address on January 14 announced that she is trying to expand mental health treatment and strengthen security as part of efforts to allay fears of crime.

As seen in this ABC News report featuring the prayer walk, the prosecution is determined to bring Simon to trial. The rest of us, including those of us on the walk, can only pray that justice will be achieved.

— Written by Marilyn D. Go