CAPAC Members Mark 39th Anniversary of the Murder of Vincent Chin
Washington, D.C. — Today marks the 39th anniversary of the racially motivated murder of Vincent Chin, a defining moment in the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. During a period of strong anti-Asian sentiment in Detroit, Michigan due to the rise of the Japanese automotive industry, Chin was assaulted and beaten to death by two former autoworkers who believed Chin was Japanese and blamed him for the loss of their jobs. Neither assailant served any time in prison for their crimes. This injustice sparked outrage and led to the emergence of a pan-ethnic AAPI movement. Members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) released the following statements:
CAPAC Leadership
Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27), CAPAC Chair:
“The brutal murder of Vincent Chin, and the injustice of letting his killers off with a slap on the wrist, was a defining moment in the history of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community – one which underscored the ongoing prejudice and invisibility AAPIs experience every day. One week before his wedding, Vincent was celebrating with his friends when he was murdered simply for his race. And even though his killers admitted to what they did, this murder of an Asian American man was simply brushed aside.
“Unfortunately, the same anti-Asian sentiment that led to Vincent’s murder is rearing its ugly head again today. Since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, AAPIs walking down the street, commuting to work, or even just standing outside their homes have been assaulted, attacked, and killed because of their race. But, thanks to the AAPI movement that started nearly 40 years ago after Vincent Chin’s murder, our community is no longer invisible. While the same prejudice and xenophobia that killed Vincent continues to plague our society today, one major difference is that we now have an outpouring of support from other communities of color, religious groups, and even the President of the United States to address anti-Asian hate. But there is still more to do. The anniversary of Vincent’s death must be a reminder to all of us that that there is no place for xenophobia or bigotry in our nation.”
Congresswoman Grace Meng (NY-06), CAPAC First Vice Chair:
“39 years ago, the Asian American community was rocked by the brutal murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American who was scapegoated by two autoworkers for the loss of American manufacturing jobs. As we continue to battle the scapegoating of COVID-19 on Asian Americans, we honor the memory of Vincent Chin and recommit ourselves to the fight against bigotry, xenophobia, and racial injustice in all forms. We cannot create a shared future unless we learn from our shared history.”
Congressman Mark Takano (CA-41), CAPAC Second Vice Chair:
“The Asian American and Pacific Islander community has been the target of increased hate, discrimination, and violence. Today, on the 39th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder, we are reminded of that same injustice that continues to torment the AAPI community. As we take time to remember Vincent’s death and honor his memory, we must also reflect on the movement and awareness that his life has inspired. Vincent’s death is a constant reminder to the AAPI community, and to communities of color, that our fight against xenophobia is not over. We must continue to stay united against every form of hate and keep demanding justice.”
Congressman Ted Lieu (CA-33), CAPAC Whip:
“On the 39th anniversary of the murder of Vincent Chin, we are reminded that racially motivated hate and violence are unfortunately nothing new. As we continue to mourn Mr. Chin and all of those we’ve lost to hate crimes, we must be resolute in combating the bias, discrimination, and violence Asian Americans have and continue to experience because of their race. Today we see this racism in the rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans as a result of divisive, bigoted language related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Just as Americans mobilized against racism in the wake of Vincent Chin’s murder, we reaffirm our fight against all forms of hatred, xenophobia, and bigotry in his memory.”
CAPAC Executive Board Members
Congressman Ro Khanna (CA-17):
“39 years after Vincent Chin’s brutal murder, Asian Americans still face far too much xenophobia here in America. We must work together to build bridges & cross-cultural dialogue, choosing hate over intolerance at every opportunity. Racism is far too deadly to let fester in our society. As a country, we must recommit ourselves to calling out bigotry wherever we see it.”
Congressman Andy Kim (NJ-03):
“Vincent Chin’s memory, nearly four decades later, is still present in our community and our country. While there is nothing we can do to fully heal the wound of his loss, the progress we’ve made in the past year shows that his inspiration drives us forward in our fight for justice. It is a fight we haven’t fully won, and one we cannot relent from. For Vincent and the others who have lost their lives to racially motivated anti-AAPI violence, we should rededicate ourselves to that fight and to the goal of putting a real end to AAPI hate.”
Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13):
“Today, we recognize the 39th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s brutal murder. This comes as we currently grapple with a rise in AAPI hate crimes and a deadly pandemic that has disproportionately impacted communities of color. We must honor the life and legacy of Vincent Chin and remember that some of those same challenges--like racism, violence, and bigotry--persist today. Now more than ever, we must stand with Asian American communities in the East Bay and across the country in condemning acts of hate and violence, and fight for a more inclusive and just future.”
Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland (WA-10):
“39 years ago, Vincent Chin, a 27-year-old Chinese-American man, was brutally murdered in Detroit because of his race, widespread xenophobia, and hatred toward Asian-Americans, sparking the Asian American civil rights movement. To this day, Vincent’s death remains a stark reminder of the longstanding legacy of violence towards AAPI communities and communities of color in our nation. As we remember and honor Vincent Chin, we recommit to standing against hatred in all forms, and uniting as allies against racial injustice, xenophobia, and bigotry.”
CAPAC Associate Members
Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney (NY-12):
“This year marks thirty-nine years since the brutal and senseless murder of Vincent Chin. His killing sparked a movement against anti-Asian bigotry and hate; one that we are unfortunately still fighting today. The spike in anti-AAPI violence around our city and country over this past year is disturbing and unacceptable. We all must remain committed to stamping out intolerance wherever and whenever we see it. Our AAPI neighbors have been attacked and harassed because of misinformation and xenophobia that wrongly blamed them for the COVID-19 virus. The COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act was a tremendous first step in rectifying these wrongs, but our work is not done. Hate has no place in our country.”
Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35):
“The 39th anniversary of Vincent Chin’s murder is a poignant moment for every American to stand against the unprovoked violence and xenophobic attacks that the AAPI community continues to face today. Vincent lost his life in an attack driven by hate and intolerance, and sadly, we see the same factors at play today with reckless scapegoating over COVID-19. We each have a responsibility to reject hate in all forms, and this somber occasion is a moment to recommit to that cause.”
Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07):
“Today, as we mark the 39th year since the tragic and brutal murder of Vincent Chin, our country has witnessed the continued vile rise in hate crimes against the AAPI community due to bigotry and racism stoked by far-right voices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It was unacceptable in 1982 and it is unacceptable in 2021. I am proud to have voted for legislation to dedicate long overdue resources to fighting hate crimes and call upon everyone in this country to speak out and denounce these heinous crimes.”