OCA-WHV joins Westchester County Executive George Latimer to condemn Anti-Asian Racism and Violence.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2021
On Thursday, March 4th, 2021, County Executive George Latimer held an outdoor news conference in Hartsdale to address the rise of hate crimes against Asian Americans. “We will step up against prejudice in any form against any group of Americans,” Latimer declared.
Latimer was strongly supported by members of OCA-Westchester & Hudson Valley (OCA-WHV), the largest Asian advocacy organization in the Hudson Valley, and many other local Asian American activists.
The statistics on bias crimes are alarming. Asian Americans Advancing Justice, an organization based in Washington, D.C., has recorded more than three thousand anti-Asian attacks since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Paul, Weiss, a law firm working with the Asian American Bar Association of New York, reported that there had been a tenfold increase in anti-Asian incidents in New York City alone.
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Speaking for OCA-WHV, Vice President for Advocacy, Robert Chao, stated, “We have to remain vigilant. Attacking a group of our neighbors because of the color of their skin or their appearance is not acceptable.” He added “We want to let the Asian American community know that if any anti-Asian incident happens to them, they should report it to the authorities. If they need language support or help of any kind, they can come to OCA.”
The Reverend Doris Dalton, chair of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission added, “Asian Americans are not responsible for the pandemic and not responsible for the downturn of the economy.” She called for all Americans to stand together to decry stereotypes that are false and harmful.
Tajesh Sanchala, Executive Director of the Westchester County Human Rights Commission, said “Please don’t minimize hate or assume it is somewhere far away. It is happening close to you. If you see it on the street, say something. If you hear it at work, say something. If you hear it in your family, say something. Stand up for your fellow Americans!” The Human Rights Commission has an on-line tool to enable the community to report hate incidents anonymously.
Westchester County District Attorney Mimi Rocah has placed a focus on hate crimes. To sharpen that focus, OCA-WHV recently held a meeting with Assistant District Attorney Catalina Blanco Buitrago, the newly appointed Bias & Hate Crime Coordinator.
OCA-WHV has taken a lead role in local volunteerism and activism. William Kaung, co-VP of Advocacy, currently serves on the Greenburgh Human Rights Committee. He and Vincent Young, VP of Development for OCA-WHV, are on the newly formed Westchester County Asian American Advisory Board. Both Mr. Kaung and Mr. Young were also present at Mr. Latimer’s news conference.
OCA-WHV, OCA Westchester & Hudson Valley Chapter, is one of the more than fifty Chapters and affiliates of OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, which is based in Washington, D.C.
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