OCA Remembers the Life of Vincent Chin

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2021

Media Contact:
Andrew Peng, Communications Associate
andrew.peng@ocanational.org

Washington, D.C. — OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates remembers the life of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man who was brutally beaten by two white auto workers on June 19, 1982 amid a wave of anti-Japanese sentiment in Detroit, Michigan. Chin died from his injuries, and his attackers—who targeted him under the mistaken assumption that he was of Japanese descent—each received a $3,000 fine and no jail time, sparking outcry from the Asian American community and calls for strong federal civil rights protections.

39 years later, Chin’s murder continues to serve as a reminder of the tragic consequences of anti-Asian hate. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, OCA and partner organizations including Stop AAPI Hate have received over 6,600 reports of anti-Asian violence and discrimination between March 19, 2020 to March 31, 2021, though the true number of hate incidents is likely to be much higher.

“Asian Americans have been used as scapegoats in times of crisis for more than a century,” said Linda Ng, National President of OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates. “Vincent Chin’s death sparked a movement that galvanized our communities, fostered diverse multiracial alliances, and mobilized generations to fight injustice. As we reflect on a year filled with widespread fear, we honor him and the brave legacy of his mother, Lily Chin, and remain dedicated to combating hatred and intolerance in all their forms.”

If you, your family, friends, or community members have been the victim of a hate crime or incident, please use our hate crimes reporting tool at aapihatecrimes.org.

###

OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates is a national social justice organization of community advocates dedicated to improving the social, political, and economic well-being of Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs). Learn more about our work at ocanational.org/about.