Contact: Carissa Villacorta
Executive Director
info@naffaa.org / 202-262-0772

For Immediate Release

NaFFAA CONDEMNS ATTACK ON FILIPINA IN TIMES SQUARE AND BYSTANDERS WHO DID NOTHING TO HELP

Inaction and Ignorance Have No Place Where the Innocent are Attacked

 

New York, NY (March 30, 2021) - The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is saddened and enraged by continued attacks on Asian American civilians. The latest reported incident of which was a Filipina was approached by a random attacker on 43rd Street in Times Square. The unidentified man punched and kicked causing her to fall. He then kicked her multiple times in the head before fleeing. The victim is currently hospitalized with swelling to the face, pain in the left leg.

“This climate of violence and hatred against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders must come to an end - people of all ethnicities and nationalities have the right to exist without fear," said Brendan Flores, NaFFAA National Chair and President.

“What is more painful to see is that our women and elders are being attacked in public and received no help from witnesses nearby. In the horrific event that happened on March 29, 2021  in New York City against a 65 year-old Filipina woman, there was no help.  Furthermore, there weren’t any attempts at preventing the escalation of this incident by staff inside of the building she was attacked in front of whose security guard just physically shut the building’s door while she was being brutally kicked in the head. We call on elected officials and public servants to take concrete action against this startling rise in violent incidents against our communities and bring comfort to those afflicted,” he added.

Likewise, NaFFAA New York State Chair, Dr. Laura Garcia emphasized:

“To see this vicious attack happen right in our neighborhood is mind boggling, shocking and sad. We must address the mental health of people who think it is okay to do these crimes. We must educate our people that we are all equal and it is not okay to attack human beings based on how they look or where they came from. We must live freely and with tolerance of one another in peace and harmony. Let us not further fan the flames of racist comments. We must call them out. They are not right and they lead to attacks like these. There must be an examination of mind and conscience to prevent these nonsensical attacks from happening.

“Every person has the responsibility to NOT let this happen. If you see something, do something. Call 911. Report the Incident. Document. Delegate. Defend. Do NOT close the door and turn a blind eye.”

LATEST UPDATE: As of March 31, 2am - The NYPD Hate Crimes department reported: "Thanks to assistance from the public and excellent investigative work by @NYPDHateCrimes Detectives, the individual wanted for Monday’s assault of a 65 year-old Asian female, at 360 West 43rd St, was arrested and charged with Felony Assault as a Hate Crime.

Contact: Carissa Villacorta
Executive Director
info@naffaa.org / 202-262-0772

For Immediate Release

FILIPINO AMERICAN COMMUNITY CONDEMNS VIOLENCE AND HATE ACTS AGAINST ASIAN AMERICANS
Asian American Women Targeted in Deadly Atlanta Shootings

March 17, 2021 (Washington, DC) - The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is greatly saddened by the multiple attacks that took place last night in Atlanta, Georgia.

Several reports state that eight people died in a series of shootings, and over half of them were of Asian descent. The first shooting took place at Young’s Asian Massage in Acworth County, Georgia, in which four people were killed and one injured. Two of the victims were women of Asian descent.

Less than an hour later, at a business called Gold Spa, four Asian women were found dead at the scene of another shooting.

Data over the past year provides evidence of the increase of Asian American hate crimes, a disproportionate number of attacks being directed towards elderly and women. Over half the share of attacks, 68%, have been towards Asian American women.

“We are tired of seeing these attacks. We need to acknowledge the intersectionality that is happening here: the women in our community are perceived as both Asian and women, and the relationship between racism and sexism here contributes to the disparity. The same goes for our elderly. We need action from the government and support from other communities to protect our people from these attacks,” states Brendan Flores, National Chairman of NaFFAA.

We urge all to take action against hate. NaFFAA stands in solidarity and is taking action with our fellow Filipino Americans/AAPI community, along with other AAPI organizations, such as the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans. Our action items include:

  • Supporting the reauthorization of legislation that is specifically designed to protect women of color, such as the Violence Against Women Act and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women bill.
  • Demanding an Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) task force so that our communities can provide input when drafting national legislation.
  • Promoting educational resources on racism, sexism, ableism, homophobia, and other identities.

NaFFAA also encourages those who need support during this time to see the following resources:

About NaFFAA
The National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA) is a nonprofit, non-partisan organization. Established in 1997, NaFFAA promotes the welfare and well-being of the four million Filipinos and Filipino Americans throughout the United States. NaFFAA's vision is to serve as the voice of all Filipinos and Filipino Americans by uniting, engaging, and empowering diverse individuals and community organizations through leadership development, civic engagement, and national advocacy.
www.naffaa.org

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