FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Kristia Winter, Communications Director
KWinter@council.nyc.gov, 718-629-2900

NEW YORK – Council Member Farah Louis (D-Brooklyn), Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino, and Asian Caucus, joined community advocates, faith leaders, and elected officials at a rally against hate on Sunday following anti-Asian violence in New York City and Georgia.

Last Tuesday, eight people were fatally shot at three massage parlors in the Atlanta area. Seven of the victims were women – six Asian and two were white, according to police who did not confirm the motive. The alleged gunman was apprehended.

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER LOUIS

“Imagine going to work, assisting clients, and being grateful for being present and surviving a pandemic. Moments later, someone randomly walks into your workplace and decides to shoot you because of your race and gender. We are still trying to comprehend Tuesday’s horrific incident when eight people lost their lives, one alleged gunman was arrested, and an entire community was left devastated by the mass shooting in the Atlanta area. 

“While our country tackles the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, the federal government has yet to address the rising gun violence and addictions plaguing our communities. We cannot be desensitized to the misogyny and xenophobia behind this crime. Therefore, we must coordinate a local and national response to ensure that our communities remain safe for all.  

“As law enforcement authorities conduct their investigation, no motive can ever excuse the unprovoked violence that these innocent victims were subjected to while working to support their families. In New York City and other municipalities across this nation, we have seen an increase in attacks against Asian-Americans and women. The frequency and escalation of these encounters are alarming and cannot be taken lightly. We need to do more than stand in solidarity with a community that was put in harm’s way during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic by reckless speech that perpetuated hate crimes. We must take immediate action to prevent future incidents through greater accountability, education, and expanded access to healthcare and opportunities. 

“Whether the alleged suspect was having a ‘bad day’ or that he had a sexual addiction, what we do know is that this massacre was racially motivated were killed were hypersexualized. This horrifying shooting is a conflux of anti-Asian and hypersexualization, which were tragically expressed that fateful Tuesday night. Sex addiction has always been prevalent in our society but never has it been brought to the national level such as this. It is due time that we tackle this issue. For far too long, women have suffered at the hands of men who see them as nothing more than an object of sexual desire, and in modern times, with the worrying growth of the ‘incel’ community, these issues have begun to cost women their lives.

“Our nation has a dark history deeply rooted in xenophobia, racism, and misogyny. We refuse to let it dictate our present and future. Hate has no place in our city. Therefore, we must continue to denounce and combat bigotry and xenophobia year-round. Through cross-cultural understanding, we can begin to dismantle the centuries-old bastions of white supremacy that exist in every facet of our society,” said Council Member Farah N. Louis.  

To report a hate crime, please contact the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes at 877-NO-HATE-NY.

New York City Council Member Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District, which comprises Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Marine Park, Flatlands, & Kensington in Brooklyn, NY. She is a member of the committees on Civil Service and Labor; Economic Development; Education; Finance; Housing and Buildings; Youth Services; and Justice System. Council Member Louis is the Co-Chair of the Women’s Caucus and Vice Co-Chair of the Black, Latino/a, and Asian Caucus.

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