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.”
On Saturday, May 16, the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) hosted its “Mandarin and Cantonese Community Webinar on Anti-Asian Violence,” part of a broader series aimed at addressing the rise in anti-Asian violence in light of COVID-19. The events focused on briefing individuals on how to defend themselves if an incident were to occur and also discussed relevant state laws that protect victims. The Mandarin webinar aired from 2:00-3:00 PM and the Cantonese webinar aired from 3:00-4:00 PM.
Guest speakers included moderator Kwok Kei Ng and representatives from the NYPD, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights (NYCCHR).
William Kwok, Asian Liaison of the Immigrant Outreach Unit of the NYPD Community Affairs Bureau, discussed the practical measures by which individuals can protect themselves from immediate physical harm. Individuals are encouraged to run into public spaces such as stores or public spaces that may have police officers on duty. If they are able, victims are encouraged to call 911 or get bystanders to contact the police. There are translators on stand-by at the NYPD if needed. Most importantly, undocumented persons should not be afraid of calling the NYPD as officers are forbidden to inquire about a victim’s immigration status.
Additionally, Officer Kwok and Mr. Ng discussed specific provisions of the Hate Crimes laws that apply. New York Penal Law § 240.30-3 describes the elements of Aggravated Harassment in the Second Degree, stating that the incident must reflect an intent to harass, annoy, threaten, or harm through physical force. New York Penal Law §485.05, the Hate Crime Law, enhances sentencing if the incident is proven to be bias-motivated. Victims and bystanders should be unafraid of reporting incidents to the authorities; any materials whether in the form of videos, audios, or testimonials can help secure a conviction. Officer Kwok and Mr. Ng presented in both the Mandarin and Cantonese webinars.
Lastly, Jiarui Li, an associate at Simpson Thacher and guest speaker for the Mandarin webinar, and Karen Yau, Co-Chair of the AABANY Pro Bono & Community Service Committee and guest speaker for the Cantonese webinar, discussed the various resources available to victims. Victims should contact the New York Office of Victim Services and the NYCCHR to see if they are eligible for compensation and legal assistance. Both New York City and New York State have dedicated Hate Crimes Task Forces that victims can contact. Victims residing in New Jersey or Connecticut can contact their own individual state Hate Crimes Task Forces.
The guest speakers reiterated the importance of reporting anti-Asian incidents to the police. Only by informing the relevant authorities can we adopt a preventative approach and stop bias incidents from occurring before individuals are harmed.
We thank the guest speakers for joining us and for their commitment to protecting the well-being of everyday New Yorkers. For more information on anti-Asian harassment and violence, email [email protected] or call our hotline at 516-690-7724.
Since the rise of COVID-19, Asian Americans have become increasingly vulnerable to acts of assault, harassment, and discrimination. In response, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, and the NYPD have become more aware and responsive to hate and bias reports related to coronavirus. Mayor Bill de Blasio’s Office has made an info sheet detailing some resources available to Asian Americans and others who may be victims of such cases.
Download the fact sheets in the following languages:
On Thursday, April 11, AABANY hosted a screening of “Blowin’ Up,” a feature documentary that explores the complex realities of sex work in New York City and the compassionate approach of a human trafficking court in Queens County. The film features AABANY member Honorable Toko Serita, Queens Supreme Court, as well as other heroines of the Human Trafficking Intervention Court, that work with victims of sexual exploitation who face prostitution-related charges.
After the screening, Beatrice Leong, AABANY Government Service and Public Interest Committee Co-Chair, led a panel discussion featuring speakers from the NYPD/FBI Joint Human Trafficking Task Force and a Queens Assistant District Attorney who prosecutes human traffickers. The panelists talked about how they worked together to prosecute the traffickers and how one can identify and help a suspected trafficking victim. The panel gave important insight into how gangs and traffickers target their victims, and the audience learned that many victims are new immigrants, local high school students or children in the foster care system. “Drugs can only be used once, but a person can be used over and over.”
The NYPD wants your input on an important NYPD policy before it is finalized: their body camera policy.
The NYPD will equip 1,000 officers in 20 precincts with body-worn cameras. In partnership with the Policing Project at NYU School of Law, the Department is seeking input into the policy that will govern the use of the cameras from the people who live, work or go to school in New York City through an online questionnaire.
The questionnaire may be completed in minutes and is mobile-friendly. The questionnaire may be found at www.nypdbodycameras.org. There you will also find the Department’s proposed policy in full and in summary form. The questionnaire is designed to get feedback on the core policy issues the Department must address and it also provides an opportunity for the participant to provide narrative comments.
The site will remain open until July 31, 2016. NYU will collect the responses and comments and provide a report to the NYPD for the Department’s consideration in drafting the final policy.
Please give your input, and please share this blog post with other members of your organization or community.
Thanks to MBBA for sharing this important questionnaire with us.
NAPABA has received inquiries about donating funds to support the family of slain NYPD Detective Wenjian Liu, who has been reported to be the first Chinese-American NYPD officer killed in the line of duty. Detective Liu and his partner, Detective Rafael Ramos, were shot to death on December 20, 2014, while sitting in their squad car in Brooklyn.
After reaching out to APA-serving organizations, NAPABA recommends the following funds to its members:
The NYPD Asian Jade Society has established a fund to support Detective Liu’s family. Detective Liu was a member of this organization for Asian Americans members of the NYPD. Donations can be made by checks payable to “PO Wen Jian Liu Family c/o NYPD Asian Jade Society” and mailed to NYPD Asian Jade Society, P.O. Box 969, Peck Slip Station, New York, NY 10272.
The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has established a fund to pay the mortgages of the Ramos and Liu families’ homes. More information is available here: http://tunnel2towers.org/.
On Thursday, June 28, 2012 at 6:00 P.M., the Asian American Bar Association of New York (“AABANY”) will host the 4th annual Prosecutors’ Committee celebration at the New York University School of Law. AABANY will honor Sandra Leung, the first female Asian American prosecutor in New York County history and currently the General Counsel for Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Assistant Police Chief Thomas M. Chan, the highest ranking uniformed member of Asian American descent in the New York City Police Department (“NYPD”).
AABANY Director and criminal defense attorney Vinoo Varghese was quoted in a front page article in the December 13 edition of Metro NY on the shooting of NYPD officer Peter Figoski. He spoke about the difficulty of extradition as a reason for alleged shooter Lamont Pride being allowed to walk free after a recent arrest.
