Community & Events

How community groups are stepping up to help protect Asian-American neighbors in NYC

By
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Organizations are stepping up and taking matters into their own hands to help make their NYC neighbors feel safer as attacks against Asian Americans are on the rise.
CHINATOWN, Manhattan (WABC) -- Community members are continuing to step up and take action as attacks against Asian Americans are on the rise.

The police commissioner said Tuesday morning that officers and undercover police will be added to various neighborhoods like Flushing and Chinatown in an effort to prevent Asian American hate crimes
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Duy Bandeston isn't sure more police will do the trick, so he's doing his part.

He is 17 years old, but is available to escort people as they walk through Chinatown or need to travel on the subway.

"They tell us where they want us to meet them, and then their destination, and then we can walk with them or take the train to wherever they need," he said.

RELATED | Man arrested in attack on Asian American woman at rally with daughter in NYC
Man charged with hate crime after mom attacked at rally


Teresa Ting launched Main Street Patrol in Flushing after an assault on an elderly Asian American woman in February



More than 60 people have already volunteered for the weekend patrols.

"Basically we are just the eyes and the ears of the community, we don't want things to go unnoticed or un-reported, if we see someone being suspicious, we will document and take some notes," Ting said.
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And in Bensonhurst, where an 89-year-old Asian American woman was set on fire in August by teenagers, Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis renewed her call for more police and more money for the police, which was echoed by members of the community.

"We need the money for funding for NYPD so they can provide more service for our community," said Lisa Chin with Health Essential Organization.



But leave it to a teenager for perspective.
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"It doesn't matter where we come from as long as we're here and committed anyone can make a difference," Bandeston said.

From more policing to rallies to community outreach- the goal is to show strength in numbers and quell the anti-Asian sentiment.

RELATED | Powerful photos from 'Stop Asian Hate' rallies around the country
People hold a moment of silence to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People take part in a rally against hate and confront the rising violence against Asian Americans at Columbus Park in New York, on Sunday, March 21, 2021.Creative Content
People attend a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.none
People rally in San Francisco against anti-Asian violence on March 21, 2021.none
A rally against anti-Asian violence in San Francisco on March 21, 2021.KGO
Sophia Sim holds a sign as she attends a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.none
Mary Yoo holds a sign as she attends a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.none
A rally against anti-Asian violence in San Francisco on March 21, 2021.KGO
Camden Hunt poses for a picture at a rally on Saturday, March 20, 2021, across from the Georgia state Capitol in Atlanta.none
A rally against anti-Asian violence in San Francisco on March 21, 2021.KGO
Protesters display placards during a rally held to support Stop Asian Hate, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Newton, Mass.none
A rally against anti-Asian violence in San Francisco on March 21, 2021.KGO
Protesters Dana Liu, center front, and Kexin Huang, right, both of Newton, Mass., display placards during a rally to support Stop Asian Hate, Sunday, March 21, 2021, in Newton.none
A rally against hate and confront the rising violence against Asian Americans at Columbus Park in the Chinatown section of Manhattan borough of New York, on March 21, 2021.Creative Content
Woman holds a sign and attends a rally to support stop AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People rally in San Francisco against anti-Asian violence on March 21, 2021.none
A dog with a sign is seen as people march during a rally to support Stop Asian Hate for AAPI at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they attend a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
A person takes photos from their sunroof as they pass a "stop Asian hate" rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they march during a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they march during a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they attend a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they march for a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs as they march during a rally to support Stop Asian Hate at the Logan Square Monument in Chicago, Saturday, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
Fashion model Kayla Karns, left with hat, joins hundreds of people gather at a rally "Stop Asian Hate" candlelight vigil at Almansor Park in Alhambra, Calif., March 20, 2021.Creative Content
Alanav Hillman, left, and Ashley Alexander hug as they join people gathered at a rally "Stop Asian Hate" candlelight vigil at Almansor Park in Alhambra, Calif., March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People take part in a rally against hate and confront the rising violence against Asian Americans at Columbus Park in the Chinatown are of New York, on Sunday, March 21, 2021.Creative Content
People take part in a rally against hate and confront the rising violence against Asian Americans at Columbus Park in New York, on Sunday, March 21, 2021.Creative Content
People take part in a rally against hate and confront the rising violence against Asian Americans at Columbus Park in New York, on Sunday, March 21, 2021.Creative Content
Mai Wright holds a sign while participating in a "stop Asian hate" rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
Hailun Song waves a U.S. flag and cheers marchers as a "stop Asian hate" rally in downtown Atlanta passes by Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
Agata Rozga leans her head on Rich Vuduc's arm as they participate in a "stop Asian hate" rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People march away from the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta during a unity "Stop Asian Hate" rally Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
A woman lights candles at a rally "Stop Asian Hate" candlelight vigil at Almansor Park in Alhambra, Calif., Saturday night, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People gather at a rally "Stop Asian Hate" candlelight vigil at Almansor Park in Alhambra, Calif., Saturday night, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff, D-Ga., and Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., speak during a "stop Asian hate" rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content
People hold signs while participating in a "stop Asian hate" rally outside the Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta on Saturday afternoon, March 20, 2021.Creative Content


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