"Impact of Trump Calling COVID-19 the 'China Virus'"
Suspect throws Chinese-American woman to the ground in Queens, New York City [Photo by Olivia Moon, captured from Twitter]
[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Since the COVID-19 pandemic, indiscriminate assault incidents targeting Asian Americans have continued to occur in the United States.
According to local New York media on the 19th (local time), on the 16th at 2 p.m., a 52-year-old Chinese woman waiting in line in front of a bakery in Flushing, Queens, was assaulted by an unidentified man. The man suddenly approached, grabbed a box, threw it, and then forcefully pushed the woman down.
Suspect Throws Chinese-American Woman to the Ground in Queens, New York City[Photo captured from actress Olivia Munn's Twitter] / Photo by Yonhap News
On the same day around 11 a.m., a 71-year-old Asian woman sitting on a subway seat was suddenly punched in the face by a man who approached her. In Harlem, a 68-year-old Asian woman was hit on the back of the head on a subway as well. Three assault incidents targeting Asian women occurred in New York on that day alone.
The victim stated that two small-built non-Asian women were sitting next to her, but the man targeted her specifically, claiming it was a clear hate crime. However, the police said they are not investigating this case as a hate crime.
Asian women are not the only targets of these crimes. At the end of last month in San Francisco, California, an 84-year-old Thai man was assaulted during his morning walk and later died. On the New York subway, a 61-year-old Filipino man was violently slashed in the face.
On the 13th (local time), CNN and other foreign media reported that a series of assault incidents targeting Asian Americans have occurred recently in the U.S., causing many citizens to live in fear.
CNN stated, "As Wuhan, China, is known as the origin of COVID-19, anti-Asian sentiment in the U.S. has noticeably spread," adding, "There is no evidence that these incidents were caused by prejudice against Asians, but authorities and Asian communities say measures must be taken."
Meanwhile, as anti-Asian hate crimes have increased for several months in the U.S., actors and Korean American organizations active in local society, as well as politicians, are paying close attention.
Famous actors, Chinese American Daniel Wu and Korean American Daniel Dae Kim, offered a $25,000 reward for information on the suspect in an incident that occurred last month in Oakland Chinatown, California. In this incident, a 91-year-old Asian man was roughly pushed by an unidentified suspect and seriously injured.
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton expresses concern over the recent surge in crimes targeting Asian Americans / Photo by Bill Clinton Twitter
On the 16th (local time), Korean American Congressman Steven Choi (Choi Seok-ho) said, "As a Korean immigrant myself, I know what discrimination based solely on race feels like. The greatness of America comes from people of different races living together," urging strong legal penalties against hate crimes.
On the same day, the California State Assembly passed a resolution stating, "Anti-Asian hate has intensified during the COVID-19 period due to remarks by former President Donald Trump, such as calling COVID-19 the 'Chinese virus' or 'Kung Flu,'" and "We condemn hateful speech and crimes against Asians and call for strong follow-up measures."
Former U.S. President Bill Clinton also expressed concern on the 20th through his social media, saying, "I am deeply worried about the increase in hate crimes targeting Asian Americans." He emphasized, "We must raise our voices against all forms of discrimination, reject ignorant rhetoric that incites violence, and support our neighbors."
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