March Members Meeting: Fighting Hate Crimes as One Community
“I learned that if you witness an incident of any crime, don't hesitate to dial 911 or 311. At saka try to get people around involved in subduing the attacker and not be afraid of retaliation from the culprits. Natutunan ko na pag tumawag ako ng saklolo sa mga awtoridad, dapat mag-cooperate with the investigation and interviews para mapangalagaan ako kung nais man nilang maghiganti. (I learned that if you witness an incident of any crime, don't hesitate to dial 911 or 311. Also try to get people around involved in subduing the attacker and not be afraid of retaliation from the culprits. I learned that when I call for help from the authorities, I must cooperate with the investigation and interviews to protect me if they want to take revenge.)”
- Val, Damayan member, load builder
The Damayan member’s sharing gave us a preview of the recent surge of continuing hate crimes against the Asian community in America. It reminds us and increases our awareness that anti-Asian hate is not just just one or two “incidents” but a systemic oppression against immigrants and people of color rooted in racism, colonialism and the history of slavery in the US.
Last Saturday, the March Members Meeting held at The People’s Forum, Manhattan became a community-building event that sought to unify and fortify the Filipino migrant worker community rocked by the recent wave of anti-Asian hate and violence. Most recently, a Filipino mother-and-son were viciously attacked at Corona, Queens by a trio shouting racial slurs at them. The community then came together at a rally decrying anti-Asian hate, showing support to the survivors.
Damayan presented another way to empower our community through education and training. At the Members’ Meeting, we hosted an engaging Anti-Asian Hate Crime Know Your Rights (KYR) Training by Atty. Alex Hu of the New York Lawyers Alliance Group (NYLAG), equipping the community with knowledge of their rights in the face of crimes that may be perpetrated against them. Further, they were given practical ways of seeking help, as well as relief and services they can avail of, if they will ever need it. And while we hope that our community members never have to utilize these resources, the members took these lessons to heart and found strength in newfound knowledge, the support of their community, and the reassurance of their rights regardless of their immigration status.
There was a stretching activity to keep the attendees energized, hosted by Mercedes
“Feel confident in reporting hate crimes, regardless of your immigration status. Your immigration status is not relevant to the crime being reported, and you have a right to have your privacy protected.” - Atty Alex Hu, NYLAG
The KYR presentation provided Damayan with detailed guidance about how the organization can actively help with community safety planning and reporting hate crimes. “ The training taught us how to be more vigilant for our own safety and for preservation of life” - Milagros, Caregiver, Damayan member.
It is fitting that International Women’s Month was also being celebrated at the March Members Meeting, paying tribute to all the Filipino migrant women workers, recognizing their hard labor overseas and their personal sacrifices that have supported their families back home and propped up the Philippine economy. These women workers, who are mostly domestic workers, face the danger of racial hate crimes and violence everyday as they ride the subways and walk in the streets of Manhattan to go to their jobs.
Our members may be facing threats of violence, but strength comes in numbers and in community. As part of its mission, Damayan will continue to empower its members with knowledge, education, and support to fight anti-Asian hate or any form of threat against our community.
This month, and every day of every month, our call is the same: To end violence and cruelty against women–whether through anti-Asian hate or forced migration and family separation.
#NoToAAPIHate #AntiAsianHate #NYLAG #ForcedMigration #FamilySeparation #DamayanMigrantWorkers #DamayanMigrants #Damayan