New York man faces hate crimes charges for attacks on Asian women

Seven Asian women in New York were attacked for 'no other reason than their perceived race', Manhattan's district attorney says

A rally calling for action and awareness on rising incidents of hate crime against Asian-Americans in Times Square in New York City. AFP

A New York man who attacked seven Asian women over the course of three hours in February has been indicted on hate crimes charges, Manhattan's district attorney said.

Between 6pm and 9pm on February 27, Steven Zajonc assaulted the women in eastern and central Manhattan, DA Alvin Bragg said.

“These attacks on seven New York women, each fuelled by anti-Asian hate, are yet another sobering reminder of the demonstrable fears communities, particularly AAPI women [Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders], in our City continue to face,” the district attorney said in a statement on Monday.

Mr Bragg said the suspect “approached the women from behind before striking them in the face with a closed fist or his elbow and fleeing the scene” and attacked them for “no other reason than their perceived race".

Six of the women suffered injuries including lacerations and bruising to their faces. Another victim was knocked unconscious by Mr Zajonc and treated for concussion.

The suspect was identified by employees at the New York Public Library and was arrested on March 2.

He has been charged with six felony counts of assault in the third degree as a hate crime and seven counts of aggravated assault in the second degree, a misdemeanour hate crime.

Mr Bragg said his office currently has 27 open hate-crime cases related to anti-Asian hate crimes.

Racially motivated attacks against Asian Americans have risen in the US since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020.

A total of 10,905 hate crime incidents against Asian Americans and Pacific Islander persons were reported from March 19, 2020 to December 31, data from advocacy group Stop AAPI Hate showed. Fifty-seven per cent of the hate crimes reported occurred last year, the group reported.