FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Chi-Ser Tran, [email protected]

June 22, 2022

The Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania (APABA-PA) commemorates the 40th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s killing and grieves with the families, friends, and communities of all those who have been targeted because of their identity.

Forty years ago, a Chinese American named Vincent Chin was beaten to death with a baseball bat by two white autoworkers in Detroit, one of whom was overheard shouting, “It’s because of you little m*****f*****s that we’re out of work.” The comment referenced the decline of the U.S. auto industry and the loss of manufacturing jobs to Japan. Mr. Chin was buried on the day after what should have been his wedding day. As a result of his killing, his attackers received only three years of probation, a $3,000 fine, and an order to pay $780 in court costs.

While the tragedy of Vincent Chin’s death has been known to spur the modern Asian Pacific American civil rights movement, Asian Pacific Americans and other marginalized communities have continued to be targeted due to hate and bias. The COVID-19 pandemic has fueled an increase in anti-Asian hate. According to Stop AAPI Hate, there were a total of 10,905 (reported) hate incidents against Asian Pacific Americans from March 19, 2020 to December 31, 2021. All around our country, individuals, families, and communities are living in fear and suffering from crimes motivated by hate and bias against their race, ethnicity, religion, or another identity factor. APABA-PA grieves with the families, friends, and communities of all those who have been victims of hate. We reflect on the challenges before us and call upon all those in the legal profession to continue working toward advocating for racial and social justice for all.

APABA-PA, an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association, represents the interests of the Asian Pacific American law students, lawyers, and judges and the Asian Pacific American community across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by supporting the advancement of Asian Pacific American attorneys and promoting justice, equity, and legal access, especially for all Asian Pacific American communities.