FOR BREAKING NEWS VISIT WWW.QNS.COM MAY 6, 2021 • THE QUEENS COURIER 3
Community leaders march against hate during Flushing rally
BY GABRIELE HOLTERMANN
editorial@qns.com
@QNS
A slew of elected offi cials and prominent
community leaders, members of the
AAPI community, and their allies gathered
for a rally and ensuing march outside
Flushing Town Hall on May 2 to support
the Asian American community.
Since the beginning of the COVID-19
crisis, the AAPI community has been the
victim of 3,800 reported anti-Asian hate
crimes nationwide. New York City has
seen a sharp increase in hate crimes of
223 percent from the same time last year.
Just over a week ago, Yao Pan Ma,
a Chinese immigrant, was so viciously
beaten while collecting cans in Manhattan
that he now is in a coma and fi ghting for
his life.
On the second day of Asian Pacifi c
American Heritage Month,Queens
Borough President Donovan Richards
sent a strong message from the world’s
borough that Queens will not be complicit
or sit on the sidelines as neighbors face
violence or injustice, no matter their culture
or sexuality.
Addressing the crowd of about 1,000,
Richards said he would not allow racists
to win the war against humanity and
urged everyone to continue to speak out
against hate and protect those who are
afraid for their lives.
“As I look out into this crowd, I see
the best in us,” said Richards, invoking
late NYC Mayor David Dinkins, who
described New York City as a gorgeous
mosaic. “Because here in Queens County,
we celebrate our diversity. In Queens,
we understand that our diversity is our
strength. We understand that there’s no
division where there is togetherness. So
today, we show the world that.You all
here are showing the world, just that you
belong here. We belong here. Th is is our
city. Th is is our borough.”
Attorney General Letitia James called
the increase in hate crimes disturbing
and that society should not allow this to
persist.
“We will not allow this to be our future
because we are one. And we stand with
the Asian community today against hate.
None of us should live in fear for our lives
because of who we are, what we look like,
and where we come from,” James said.
“We are a city built on the values of diversity
and inclusion and acceptance and
love, and that all of us are part of one
human family.”
James stressed and said that her
office would use the “full force of the
law” against anyone who commits a
hate crime.
Rev. Al Sharpton emphasized that hate
is wrong, no matter who the victim is,
and called on leaders to speak up.
“We don’t need to send a message.
We need to come and bring the message.
When Blacks attack Asians, Black
leaders need to stand up. When whites
attack others, whites need to stand up,”
Sharpton said. “I have come to tell you
that we are not going to stand by and
allow hate between one another. You can’t
fi ght hate against one without fi ghting
hate against all.”
U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, wearing a
#StopAsianHate mask, promised that he
would wear the mask until hate against
Asians was wiped out, drawing cheers
from the crowd. He had stern words for
those who propagate Asian hate.
“You are not New Yorkers. You are not
Americans. And under the new law we
passed, we will prosecute you and give
you the sentence you deserve,” the Senate
majority leader said.
Unlike his preceding speakers, who
greeted with cheers from the crowd,
Mayor de Blasio’s reception was more
subdued, drawing some boos.
He reminded everyone that New York
City is a great place because of the contributions
Asian Americans have made
to the city.
“So anyone who hates Asian Americans
hates New York City, too; hates America,
too. You won’t be accepted in New York
City again. Hey, get the hell out here. You
don’t belong in New York City,” the mayor
said before promising that perpetrators
who commit hate crimes would be fully
prosecuted.
State Senator John Liu was impressed
with the crowd size assembled outside
Flushing Town Hall, describing it as the
biggest gathering he has seen in Flushing.
Exasperated, he asked, how anyone
could beat another human being
so viciously. He said that the Asian
Americans weren’t subhumans, but mothers,
fathers, aunts, uncles and Americans.
He also said that bigotry and discrimination
were the results of ignorance and
that, besides prosecution, education had
to be part of the solution combating hate
crimes.
“It’s not just about hate crimes and
prosecution and police. It is also about
education. Because we can prosecute all
the people that we want, and we can stop
hate crimes from their fear, but we need to
stop hate crimes out of people’s love. Th at
is the long-term solution. Hate, bigotry
and discrimination are the result of ignorance,
is a result of not understanding. It’s
a result of not seeing us as human beings,”
Liu said. “In order to counter that, we
need to teach people about what we have
Photo by Gabriele Holtermann
done in this country. New York would
not be what it is today if it hadn’t been for
Asian Americans. America would not be
what it is today if it hadn’t been for Asian
Americans. Everybody needs to understand
what Asian Americans have done.”
After a heap of speeches,
Congresswoman Grace Meng wrapped
up the rally before the march.
Meng, who introduced the COVID-
19 Hate Crimes Act, which the Senate
passed on April 22 with the support of
Senators Schumer and Hirono, thanked
those who have supported the AAPI
community for the last year. But she also
reminded the Asian American community
that it has to support other communities
faced with racism.
“And if we don’t understand their
issues, if we’re not sure exactly what’s
going on, it’s our job to understand and
to mutually support each other. So the
next time another community is hurting,
and you can call me. We will be there for
you,” Meng said.
Elected offi cials and community leaders
and numerous Asian American groups
carrying banners — many members
proudly waving American fl ags — started
the 1.3-mile march at Flushing Town
Hall. Th e route took demonstrators past
the bakery where an Asian American
woman was assaulted and viciously
shoved to the ground in February.
Asians Americans and allies rally against anti-Asian hate in Flushing on May 2, 2021.
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