TEENS CITYWIDE REACT TO SPIKE IN HATE CRIMES"#ART WILL DEFEAT HATE" ACT. RESPOND. TRANSFORM.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

​​Contact: 
​Elizabeth OuYang, Supervisor Tel. 718) 650-1960
Averi Suk, Coordinator Tel. (818) 903-5648

WHAT: OPENING - OCA-NY Hate Crimes Prevention Art Exhibit, "#ART WILL DEFEAT HATE", ACT. RESPOND. TRANSFORM. AMAZING ARTWORK SHOWCASED. FIVE TOP PRIZE WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED. (see attached flyer announcing exhibit opening)
This contest, in its 15th successful year, showcases "artivism" from teenagers citywide. The theme focuses on the rise in hate crimes this past year against many marginalized groups, notably Asian Americans who have been scapegoated for COVID-19.

WHY: FromJanuary1,2021toMay31,2021,therewere322reportedhatecrimes,compared to 128 the same time last year. Of this number, hate crimes increased:

• 335 % against Asian Americans with 87 reported hate crimes. From 2019-2021, anti-Asian hate crimes rose from 1 to 30.
• 188% against LGBT with 23 reported hate crimes.
• 37% against Jews with 86 reported hate crimes.​

WHEN: Thursday, August 12, 2021 (online) 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
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WHO: Averi Suk, Coordinator (Columbia University college student) High school project interns
Recent victim of hate in New York City
Brianna Cea, OCA-NY President
Jason Chu, performance rapper
Faith Onukaogu (project intern), dance “Black, Asian, Latinx Lives Matter” State Senator John Liu
Manhattan Borough President Gayle Brewer
Deborah Lauter, Exec. Director, New York City Office of Prevention of Hate Crimes John Leo, Regional and Community Affairs Manager, Con Edison
Dennis Chuang, Eastern Regional Leader, East West Bank
David Ho, 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, Home Care Division
(list in formation)