Release: City Council Candidate Lynn Schulman on the Rise of Hate Crimes Against the Asian American Community

“Throughout our history, New York City has been both an entry point and a safe haven for immigrants from all parts of the world. This is why it is unconscionable that in this great city we now have a striking escalation of hate crimes being perpetrated against Asian Americans.

“In the last week alone, four Asians were assaulted, including a 71-year-old woman who was punched in the face on a subway platform in Midtown, and a 52-year-old woman attacked outside a bakery in Flushing, suffering a gash to her head, requiring ten stitches. As a lifelong resident of Queens, I am appalled and enraged by this violence and condemn those who have been perpetrators.

“Public safety must be reimagined as we pursue justice, both within the system and for those who it is meant to protect. The NYPD must continue to direct attention to hate crimes against ANY community. I will also work with our neighborhood police precincts to make sure that the response to the current uptick of crimes against Asian Americans is taken seriously and applied appropriately. I will advocate for Language Justice to ensure effective communication between my district constituents and the NYPD and I will advocate for more Asian American officers to be assigned to the precincts in the district. In addition, I will assign an Asian-American representative to my office and work with Asian American organizations to make sure that crime victims have someone they trust to support them through the reporting and investigation process.

“Hate and bigotry have no place in our country and we must denounce racism, combat disinformation, and pursue public safety reform in solidarity with the Asian American community at this important moment in time.”

###