Woman Attacked On Her Way To Anti-Asian Violence Protest: NYPD

EAST VILLAGE, NY — A woman on her way to an anti-Asian violence protest near Astor Place in Lower Manhattan on Sunday was attacked before she made it to the rally, according to police.

The 37-year-old woman was standing near 51 Astor Place at 11:37 a.m. when a man approached her and asked for the sign she was carrying, police said.

The attacker proceeded to grab the sign and do his best to stuff it in a nearby garbage can, however when he wasn't able to get it into the bin — he placed the sign specifically made for the anti-Asian violence protest on the ground and stomped on it, according to police.

When the woman asked him why he did it, the attacker punched her twice in the face with a closed fist and ran away, police said.

The 37-year-old suffered a small cut and bruising to her lip, and also sprained her ankle while running after the man, according to police.

The attack is being investigated by the NYPD's Hate Crimes Task Force, and police released pictures Monday of the man wanted in connection to what happened on Astor Place.

Hundreds if not thousands of New Yorkers took part in vigils and protests on Friday and Sunday to denounce anti-Asian racism and violence. The gatherings were motivated by the recent Georgia spa shootings, where six of the eight people killed were Asian.

During a weekend meant to show solidarity towards the Asian community and stand up against violence, the 37-year-old attacked for her sign was not the only possible hate crime against Asians to take place in the last 48-hours.

On Saturday at 8:55 a.m., a 66-year-old man was approached in front of 196 Allen Street by an unidentified man yelling at him, police said.

The attacker then punched the man in the face, before quickly fleeing, according to police.

The NYPD is also investigating this attack as a possible hate crime but did not specify the race of the 66-year-old man to Patch.

However, multiple sources, including the New York Post and AMNY, are reporting the victim was Asian, and the 66-year-old man heard the attacker say the word "Chinese" multiple times.

Additionally, the Daily News is reporting that a 68-year-old Asian man is in critical condition after he was punched in the face Friday night in an unprovoked attack.

A witness told the Daily News that the attacker, later identified by police as Bronx resident Marc Mathieu, said "You motherf***ing Asian," during the incident.