Community unites in wake of bias attack

Hoping to snuff out further racial attacks, public officials, community activists and concerned residents held an anti-hate crime rally on the steps of Flushing Town Hall on Wednesday, August 16th.
Speaking in measured tones, they came from all over the borough, from Queens Borough President Helen Marshall to Christopher Kui, Executive Director of the Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE). Races of all kinds were represented, as the violent and verbal hate crime in Douglaston that left two Asian Americans - Reynold Liang and John Lu - battered and bloodied early on Sunday, August 12 was denounced. &#8220We cannot allow theses things to happen,” Marshall said.
Marshall said she has spoken to the 111th Precinct on beefing up their hate crime unit in hopes of negating future bias attacks, and mentioned that her newly constructed Queens General Assembly, which has two members from each Community Board in the borough, is working on settling racial strife.
&#8220Let me be clear: Violent acts of hate against any New Yorker will not be tolerated in this city. My colleagues and I are committed to eradicating such hostile, baseless behavior,” City Council Speaker Christine Quinn added.
The two attackers, Kevin Brown, 19, of Flushing, and 20-year-old Little Neck resident Paul Heavey - both white males - allegedly drove up next to the victims' vehicle and began yelling racial slurs at the teens. The incident escalated and Brown and Heavey allegedly physically harmed Liang, just three blocks from his Douglaston home, and Lu, resulting in injuries such as black eyes, lacerations and loose teeth.
The defendants have been charged with assault in the second and third degree as a hate crime, reckless endangerment in the second degree as a hate crime, criminal mischief in the fourth degree as a hate crime, harassment in the second degree, assault in the second degree and resisting arrest.
As the public officials and community advocates spoke against the attacks, local Asian American teens stood behind them with anti-hate crime placards, reading &#8220Hate crimes another form of terror”; &#8220Don't fight, unite”; and &#8220Rally against hate.” &#8220We've got to show we'll stand up for what we believe in,” fumed Kevin Kim, 17, of Flushing. &#8220We have to show that we won't tolerate it.”
Many of the speakers warned that Queens, a diversified melting pot, has problems that need fixing. &#8220We're not going to ignore this,” said Assemblymember Ann-Margaret Carrozza. &#8220We are going to make sure it doesn't happen again.”
Councilmember John Liu, who organized the rally, added &#8220We will no longer remain silent when such violent hate crimes are perpetrated in our community. Today, we stand united - New Yorkers of all colors, ethnicities, and cultures - in condemning bigotry and hatred. We say, ‘An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us.' ”