CAIR-NY Condemns Coronavirus-Related Hate Crime Targeting Asian Woman; Calls for Hate Crime Probe

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(NEW YORK, NY, 3/11/2020) – The New York chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-NY), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned a coronavirus-related hate crime assault of an Asian woman in Manhattan. CAIR-NY called on the NYPD to investigate the assault as a hate crime. 

The assault occurred on Tuesday morning with the assailant yelling “Where is your corona mask, you Asian b—h.” The assailant the punched the victim in the face. 

SEE: https://wcbs880.radio.com/articles/asian-woman-assaulted-in-coronavirus-related-hate-crime

Last week, CAIR-NY condemned another coronavirus hate incident that occurred on a subway train in Brooklyn.

SEE:  https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-ny-condemns-anti-asian-hate-incident-on-nyc-subway-welcomes-nypd-investigation-as-possible-hate-crime/

SEE ALSO: https://abc7ny.com/coronavirus-fear-video-shows-suspected-hate-crime-on-subway/5989856/

In a statement, CAIR-NY Litigation Director Ahmed Mohamed said:

“Hate in any form directed at any community is unacceptable and has no place in our society. It is disgusting that Asian-Americans are being targeted because of bigoted and ignorant claims concerning the origins and transmissibility of the coronavirus. 

“The coronavirus is a public health safety issue, and race, ethnicity, or immigrant status should play no role in how we respond to the coronavirus.  We stand with our Asian-American communities. We hope the NYPD will investigate this assault as a hate crime.”

Community members are encouraged to contact law enforcement if they have information that may assist police is holding the assailant accountable. 

This incident comes after a Brooklyn community board member appointee of NYC Councilman Eric Adams, ranted on social media against Asian Americans, stating, in part:

“These Chinese restaurants in our community make millions of dollars off us. They don’t hire us; don’t donate to any of our events and express racism against us. Yes I said all this now attack me!”

SEE: Appointee of Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams goes on racist anti-Asian rant amid coronavirus fears

Since the rant, a spokesman from Councilman Adams’ office has condemned the statement and announced that the community member will not be reappointed after his current term. He also explained the City Charter does not allow him to dismiss serving board members.

SEE: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/ny-coronavirus-xenophobia-william-colton-ronald-stewart-eric-adams-20200304-46wrwvf7rbg7nbapraxm7zq4ki-story.html

CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.

La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.

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CONTACT: Ahmed Mohamed, CAIR-NY Litigation Director, 646-481-2103, ahmedmohamed@cair.com; Afaf Nasher, Esq. Executive Director, CAIR-NY, 917-669-4006, anasher@cair.com

CAIR-NY