Community Launches Hate Free Zone to Combat Anti-Asian Violence

The Minkwon Center for Community Action in partnership with The Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations, launched the Hate Free Zones initiative today to create safe spaces in Flushing and host Know Your Rights sessions on immigration, community safety, and housing to address the recent surge of attacks on Asian American community members.

“As the pandemic recedes and our community reopens, it’s important to welcome people of all backgrounds and emphasize that ‘Flushing Is Open to All,’” stated John Choe, Executive Director of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. “Since the 1657 Flushing Remonstrance, when residents and business owners fought for religious liberty, our community has been a beacon for inclusion and freedom for people from around the world. As we celebrate the Year of the Tiger, we must redouble our efforts to bring people together, fight against bigotry and violence, and proclaim to the world that ‘Hate Has No Place Here!’”

The Hate Free Zones will work alongside small businesses in Flushing and civic groups that provide support to the AAPI community to create safe spaces and begin conversations about what it means to re-open Flushing “the right way” after the COVID-19 pandemic devastated many small businesses. As it is Lunar New Year, which focuses on new beginnings, this is especially important. The project aims to create an inclusive, welcoming Flushing as a direct counter to the xenophobia that has been directed towards the AAPI community members.

Speakers at today's event included John Park, Executive Director of the Minkwon Center; Jennifer Sun, Co-Executive Director of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE); Ikhwan Rim, President of the Union Street Small Business Association; Jessica Park, Immigrant Justice Organizer of the Minkwon Center; and, Tasnia Muskan, Student of the Macaulay Honors College at the City University of New York (CUNY).

“We at AAFE are proud to stand with dedicated community organizers in support of a Hate Free Zone in Flushing,” said Jennifer Sun, co-executive director of Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE). “Nothing could be more important than protecting our seniors and other vulnerable community members who are struggling to overcome the health and economic impacts of the pandemic. Our staff and volunteers are looking forward to working together with the Flushing community to create safe spaces, provide desperately needed resources and begin a constructive neighborhood-wide dialogue to further greater understanding and unity.”

Event organizers were also joined by business leaders and community partners Sang Ho Lee, President of the Korean-American Nail Salon Association of New York; Eun Kyung Kim, Executive Director of the YWCA of Queens; and, representatives from the Office of the New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and New York State Senator John C. Liu.

The MinKwon Center for Community Action empowers the Korean American community and works with the wider Asian Pacific American (APA) and immigrant communities to achieve economic and social justice for all. For more information, visit minkwon.org.