Community Unites Against Anti-Asian Violence

Local residents, faith leaders and civic activists representing the diversity of the World’s Borough gathered on the steps of the Queens Public Library in downtown Flushing, Queens, to stand in unity against anti-Asian violence and hate. Today’s vigil was an opportunity for our community to mourn the lives lost in the recent mass shooting in Georgia, condemn the white supremacy and racism dividing our country, and stand in solidarity across race, religion, and gender lines in mutual support and protection against future acts of violence.

"Our community stands united against hate," stated John Choe, executive director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, who organized today's vigil against anti-Asian violence. "We must come together to build solidarity and mutual support across race, religion, and gender. We can't rely on the police to protect us. Police are crimefighters; they cannot solve the racism and sexism at the root of these attacks. Only we can protect us."

On March 16, a white man gunned down nine people in Georgia. At 5pm on Tuesday, the suspect opened fire at Young's Asian Massage in Acworth, killing four people and injuring a fifth, before driving 30 miles into Atlanta and killing four more people at two businesses, Gold Spa and Aromatherapy Spa. Six of those killed were Asian American women: Soon Chung (age 74); Hyun Jung (age 51); Suncha (age 69); Yong Ae (age 63); Delaina Ashley (age 33); Paul Andre (age 54); Xiaojie (age 49); Daoyou (age 44).

“Today we grieve for the eight lives lost,” stated Julie Ae Kim, Co-founder of the Asian American Feminist Collective. “Then we imagine and build a future where this can’t happen again. We hold our elected officials, advocates, and community accountable for stigmatizing and perpetuating harm to massage parlor workers, migrant workers, sex workers and we use this moment to call for justice. We know that the only way through this is together.”

The vigil began with an opening prayer by Rev. Dr. Richard McEachern, Pastor of Macedonia AME Church, and a song by Soh Young Lee-Segredo, educator, community activist, charter member of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Korean American Association of Queens (KAAQ) and founding member of the Multicultural Council of New York.

“As members of the faith community, our prayers go out to the families victimized by these violent attacks,” stated Rev. Dr. Richard McEachern, Pastor of Macedonia AME Church. “We are outraged by these biased and senseless attacks on Asian Americans, and we will not remain silent. We must speak out against bigotry, racism, and discrimination wherever and whenever we see it. We want our Asian American neighbors, friends, and co-workers to know we are standing with you during this difficult time.”

“The experience of being treated like a stranger in our own country is part of the Jewish story and the story of the AAPI community. As Jews, we stand with our AAPI family, community members and neighbors in love and solidarity,” stated Rabbi Rachel Goldenberg, Founder of the Malkhut Jewish spiritual community of Queens. “The scapegoating by public officials, associating COVID with the Asian American community, is dangerous and irresponsible and it must stop. In particular I also want to shine a light on the intersection between misogyny and racism in the recent horrific shootings in Atlanta. Racism and sexism were operating hand in hand in this incident, and we must call it out for what it is.”

“It is with deep sadness that I express condolences to the victims' families,” stated Martha Flores-Vazquez, District Leader in Assembly District 40. “Baseless injustice claimed the lives of these hard working women. Let us unite to mandate justice for all. Let us highlight the importance of diversity. As the grandmother of Korean-Puerto Rican granddaughters, Nova and Luna Kim-Vazquez, I demand justice and welcome diversity and real genuine tolerance.”

"Fundamentally, the issues, hate, and violence facing marginalized communities—including the Asian-American community—will not be solved by increased police presence. More often than not, they face violence at the hands of police,” stated Emilia Decaudin, District Leader in Assembly District 37. “We need to defund the NYPD, we need to abolish the VICE squad and protect vulnerable sex workers, and we need to invest in community-oriented solutions to address the root causes of violence instead of policing the symptoms."

“The past few days have been especially tough and painful for all of us in the AAPI community, and the most important thing for us right now is to show we are one," stated Emily Gaeun Kim, Coordinator of Korean American Civic Empowerment (KACE) Young Leaders. "I sincerely thank John Choe and all of the members of our community who have gathered together today to unite for support.”

Choe was also joined by fellow City Council candidates Anthony Miranda, Nabaraj KC, Ellen Young, Dao Yin, and Hailing Chen.

“We Quakers are committed to accepting each individual as one of God’s creatures. The Holy Spirit, which we all share, makes us equal,” stated Linda Shirley, Clerk of Peace & Social Action at Flushing Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends. “Recently the pandemic has brought about a disturbing rise in violence against those of us who share an Asian heritage. We strongly urge all Americans to condemn such attacks and stand firmly in support of those who have unfairly suffered such persecution.”

“The Asian American Voters Alliance (AAVA) is angry at attacks and killings of Asian Americans in our nation,” stated Terence Park, President of the Asian American Voters Alliance. “We urge people to be vigilant on attacks on Asian Americans, and community leaders and elected officials are more outspoken on hate crimes against Asian Americans.”

“As Jews, we understand the dangers of intolerance, bigotry and the targeting of one group by another for no reason other than their ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation or skin color. We are horrified by the current uptick in violence against Asian Americans,” stated Dr. Paul Engel DHL, LCSW, Executive Director of the Flushing Jewish Community Council. “We, as a community, must join forces to combat this disturbing trend. If you feel threatened or under stress (or know someone who is under stress) or if you just need to speak to someone in confidence, our professional counselors are here to help. We also provide a food pantry and English and civics classes.”

“As Unitarian Universalists we are committed to practicing anti-racism and the dismantling of white supremacy culture,” stated Runita Sutton representing the Board of Trustees of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Queens. “We condemn the murders of the Asian American spa workers in Atlanta, as well as violence and abuse against AAPI people overall. Every person is worthy and deserving of respect and dignity -- period. We side with love.”

"Stop Asian hate! Let our families live in peace and not with fear!" stated Master Michael Ro of Flushing Champions Martial Arts.

The vigil was also joined by Alan Brava, Executive Director of the Flushing Free Synagogue; Evergreen Chou of SEIU 1199 Healthcare Workers; Taehoon Kim, President of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce; Lourdes Villanueva Hartrick of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Jack Chang and Leonard Galit of the Baha'i Community of Queens; and, local resident Mijoung Chang and other community activists.