The Asian community has been an integral part of the fabric of our city for generations, contributing tremendously to its rich culture and history. Newly arriving immigrants, looking to our city as a beacon of hope, are growing our community’s footprint. As the fastest growing community in New York City, Asians in every borough are making their voices heard, not only in the streets but at the polls, forcing our leaders to understand that we can no longer be overlooked.
For too long, our needs have been ignored when decisions have been made impacting our neighborhoods. The controversy surrounding the siting of a proposed homeless shelter on 86th St. in my Brooklyn district has highlighted this lack of concern for the Asian community’s needs.
From the first day I took office, I have tried endlessly to work with government officials on this issue. For months, a chorus of voices from the Asian community has signaled that the placement of a homeless shelter at this site will endanger the safety of children, seniors, women, and others. Placing a homeless shelter next to schools, across the street from elderly centers, and in the business corridor of District 43, will leave the youth and elderly in a vulnerable position with public safety concerns.
There has been a lack of transparency and community input in the site selection process, and this must stop. I’ve always stood in support of expanding housing for others and support the city’s efforts to find public land to build on. However, when the government makes any housing decision it must listen to the communities it serves.
This issue is emblematic of a broader problem with city agency officials’ failure to take Asian voices seriously. When our community’s concerns are ignored, it stings. It makes us feel that we do not belong, and that our concerns do not matter. A government that fails to properly engage its citizens in decisions that have long-lasting impact is not a government that is serving its people justly.
On July 17, thousands of neighborhood residents and I rallied against the illegal construction of the homeless shelter in our district. The situation escalated quickly. When I came across an 80-year-old constituent in distress, laying on the ground under a barricade, I begged officers on the scene to intervene, but was ignored. I felt heartbroken.
My community had come out to peacefully protest, but we were met with force and a lack of concern for our health and safety. In the ensuing moments, a regrettable scuffle with a group of NYPD officers resulted in an officer’s injury and my arrest.
I have always been a supporter of the NYPD and continue to respect the men and women who work tirelessly to protect our city. Respect for the police has always been in our culture and communities, but it works both ways. The Asian community deserves to be respected too.
This means that NYPD de-escalation should always be the priority, as it is the most effective way to maintain peace, ensure everyone’s safety and promote the dignity of all people regardless of their background. And accountability is critical to effective community relations. This pertains to all of the city’s communities, not just Asian ones.
This incident has put me in the spotlight in a way I never anticipated. But this moment should not be about me; it should be about the Asian community and the urgent need for our voices to be heard, and for our government to be responsive to our needs. Asian community members deserve leaders who listen to their concerns with empathy, and respond to their needs with urgency and respect, not shows of force.
I will always be a fierce advocate for our rights and will stand up to anyone who wishes to silence our voices. This is not just about a single protest or a single individual; this is about making sure that our Asian community is respected and heard. As the Council member for the 43rd district, I will continue to use my position in government to elevate our community’s presence and ensure that the Asian community’s safety is a priority for city leaders.
The Asian community deserves to have its voices heard without fear of mistreatment. Officials must treat Asian New Yorkers with the same respect that they treat other New Yorkers. We love this city and work tirelessly to make it the greatest place in the world.
Zhuang is a Council member from Brooklyn.
