New York Liberty call for action on anti-Asian American violence after wave of attacks

The Liberty has joined with other New York organizations to help thwart a recent wave of attacks on Asian-Americans in the metro area and nationally, adding a statement on the team’s website and tweeting out their concerns... and asking fans to report any incidents they see to the NYPD.

On Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Asian-American lawmakers and other House Democrats on Friday denounced a rise in hate incidents targeting members of the Asian community across the country and called for stronger action — both by Congress and the Biden administration.

In New York, Asian-Americans have been attacked on the street in several recent incidents involving random slashings and other attacks.

Liberty and Nets owners Joe Tsai and Clara Wu Tsai have been out front on this issue since last year, with Tsai criticizing “the guy in the White House” and his former lawyer, Rudy Giuliani, for inflaming resentment and violence against Asians and Asian-Americans. Among other things, Trump called COVID-19 “Kung flu” and the “Chinese virus.”

Back in September, Tsai told Yale students to be wary of President Trump.

“I say, history does repeat itself because of what I’ve seen in the recent environment with sentiment in society against, for example, Asian-Americans because of COVID and because you know the guy in the White House is communicating a message that affects all Asian-Americans.

“You know during World War II, when America went to war with Japan, Japanese-Americans were rounded up and put into these internment camps because they were not trusted as Americans. It only happened 60, 70 years ago, it could repeat itself. So for me, going back in history is very important.”

In December, Tsai went after comments by a pro-Trump witness in a Michigan legislative hearing. The hearing was part of the former President’s quixotic attempt to change the presidential election results.

A Republican poll watcher in Michigan called for national identification cards because “all Chinese look alike.” adding “If some Chow shows up, you can be anybody and you can vote.” The woman, Hima Kolanagireddy, did not cite or allege any voter fraud. She was brought to the hearing by Rudy Giuliani, Trump’s former personal attorney.

Not long after, Tsai tweeted out a video of the key quote and made his feelings about anti-Asian bias clear once again.

The Liberty roster includes Chinese center Han Xu, who opted out of last season because of the then-rising wave of COVID infections.