New Yorkers unite against anti-Asian violence at Manhattan rally

Rally
Photo credit Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Residents and local leaders joined together in lower Manhattan on Saturday afternoon to denounce anti-Asian attacks, which have increased in the city and nationwide during the pandemic.

The “Rise Up Against Asian Hate” rally at Foley Square included Mayor Bill de Blasio, Sen. Chuck Schumer, state Attorney General Letitia James and mayoral candidate Andrew Yang. The event was organized by the Asian American Federation and brought hundreds of people out.

“All of us must stand together with no space between us, shoulder to shoulder, brother to brother, sister to sister,” James said. “Blacks and whites and Asians and Latinos. All of us must say, ‘no hate, no fear.’”

James led demonstrators in a brief chant and called for extra patrols to keep Asian-Americans safe.

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Photo credit Carol D'Auria

“Stop Asian hate,” de Blasio said. “This is the message we have to get out, not just in New York City, but all over this county. Stop Asian hate, stop it now.”

Perhaps the most gripping words at the rally came from Noel Quintana, a Filipino-American who was attacked on an L train on Feb. 3. He still had a deep slash mark across his face from the attack.

Quintana said another passenger kept kicking him and then cut him.

“When I saw the box cutter holding on his hand and the reaction of other people on the train, I knew I was slashed,” Quintana said. “I called for help, but nobody came for help.”

Rally
Photo credit Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office

The speakers called for people to unite and “rise up” to defend Asian communities in the city and beyond.

“Bigotry against any of us is bigotry against all of us,” Schumer said.

The rally was held not far from the location in Chinatown where a 36-year-old Asian man was stabbed and critically injured on Thursday night. A 23-year-old man from Brooklyn was arrested in the attack.

Rally
Photo credit Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Rally
Photo credit Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office
Featured Image Photo Credit: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office