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61-Year-Old Asian Man in Critical Condition After Unprovoked Attack

2 mins read

Police said a 61-year-old Asian man from New York City is in critical condition and fighting for his life after an unidentified suspect attacked him on Friday evening as authorities continue investigations of the crime.

The New York City Police Department’s Hate Crime Task Force released footage of the incident. The recording showed the suspect pushing the senior to the ground and kick him in the head several times.

Asian American Crimes

Authorities immediately transported the Asian man to the hospital but did not reveal his identity. As of Sunday, police have not yet made any arrests in connection to the brutal attack. They are also still investigating if the attack is a hate crime.

California has recorded a surge of anti-Asian crimes and violence, starting since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic. The Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism at California State University, San Bernardino released data showing between 2019 and 2020, hate crimes targeting people of Asian descent surged in more than a dozen cities.

The brutal attack on the 61-year-old Asian man comes as Senate officials approved legislation to increase law enforcement presence around Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

“We had a former president who really used a lot of terms like ‘Chinese virus’ and ‘kung flu.’ When a leader who has a tremendous platform uses that sort of incendiary language, it can be really damaging and harmful,” said Rep. Grace Meng in March.

She said that citizens were scared and Asian residents were warning their relatives to not go out into the streets in fear of being attacked by other people. United States President Joe Biden has expressed his concerns about the rising crimes and announced an initiative to urge the Department of Justice to protect Asian American residents, NPR reported.

“We can’t be silent in the face of rising violence against Asian Americans. These attacks are wrong, un-American, and must stop,” Biden said in a Twitter post.

Danielle Joyce Ong

Danielle is a local journalist with a passion for exploring stories related to crime and politics. When Danielle isn't busy writing or reading, she is usually exploring the great outdoors and all the hiking trails in the Bay.