Jersey City Filipino Community Learns Hate Crime Self-Defense

JERSEY CITY, NJ — A group of about 50 Filipino residents in Jersey City gathered in Lincoln Park last week to learn important methods of self-defense.

The group lesson in self-defense comes after a rise in anti-Asian hate crimes has been documented over the past year. The workshop was organized by the Philippine Community Center Foundation Inc. and the Philippine Consulate General and conducted by the Combat Tactics Group.

About 25 percent of Jersey City's population identifies as Asian, according to the available 2010 census data. Over the past year the AAPI community has seen a sharp rise in hate crimes, with at least 3,795 incidents reported from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021, according to Stop AAPI Hate, a watchdog group dedicated to reporting and advocating against AAPI hate crimes.

During the workshop last week, Consul General Elmer G. Cato underscored the need to help protect kababayan, or fellow Filipinos, especially the elderly. He said the Consulate will be conducting similar workshops in New York in the coming weeks.

The Jersey City Municipal Council signed a resolution in March, condemning and combating racism, xenophobia, and intolerance following the hate-crime attacks in Atlanta of several Asian women.

In June, the City Council honored Philippine Independence with a flag raising ceremony, which recognized the Philippine Consulate General of East Coast, Philippine American Friendship Community and members of the Filipino community in Jersey City.