"I believe I was targeted because I'm Asian American, because I'm an easy target," Vanessa Lam said.
Marueen Ki, the other victim, said, "When I saw him I went to the other side because I'm afraid something may happen." Ki said her attack happened outside her senior center on 73rd Street and 18th Avenue.
Lam, who is 16 years old, was just blocks away on 68th Street when she says her attacker pushed her into traffic.
"His aim was to harm me. Had he succeeded, he could have killed me," Lam said.
Lawmakers at the morning rally reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen laws and increase community training.
"We too have an obligation to stand up and support our neighbors in need," said state Senator Andrew Goundares, who also spoke on the need for bystander trainings.
Rep. Grace Meng, who represents parts of Queens, called the attack sickening.
"The victim is beaten and chocked so brutally that he appears to become unconscious. As I have said, the rise in violence against Asian Americans is disgusting and unconscionable," Meng said Monday.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo directed the New York State Police Hate Crimes Task Force to provide assistance to the ongoing investigation.
"The misguided rhetoric which has vilified Asian Americans throughout this pandemic is highly dangerous, and now we are seeing more and more painful real-life consequences. It is sickening and I want every New Yorker who identifies as part of the Asian American community to know this: in this state we not only condemn the hateful rhetoric, but we stand with you because we are all one family, united against hate," the governor said in a statement.
The video link is
https://twitter.com/AsianDawn4/status/1376406876921810946?s=20
