Only a month after the Atlanta spa shootings, a beloved Asian New Yorker, Yao Pan Ma, was brutally attacked while collecting cans on the streets of Harlem on April 23, 2021. Without any warning, Mr. Ma was attacked from behind, shoved to the ground and repeatedly stomped on his head. He never even got to see his assailant, Jarrod Powell, but the horrific attack was captured on video and seen by many around the world.

Put immediately on life support, Yao Pan Ma succumbed to his injuries and died on December 31, 2021. Sadly, Yao Pan Ma was only one of many who lost their lives to the vicious pandemic of hate and violence against members of the AAPI community.

Jarrod Powell admitted to targeting Mr. Ma because he was Asian and pleaded guilty to Manslaughter in the First Degree as a Hate Crime. On Friday, March 31, 2023, Judge Michele Rodney will sentence him to a promised sentence of 22 years in state prison followed by 5 years in post-release supervision in New York State Supreme Court.

Come join AABANY and other community organizations to witness this important sentencing. Our collective presence as Asian New Yorkers and allies in the courtroom is a crucial reminder of the deep loss, pain, fear, and terror inflicted on so many from hate crimes. We need to make ourselves, our communities and our suffering visible in our legal systems. There is no easier way to do that than by simply showing up.

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