An Asian American artist, who was on his way to be part of a special performance prior to the first preview of The Chinese Lady at The Public, was attacked, according to a February 24 joint statement from The Public and Ma-Yi Theater Company released via Twitter.
The actor was kicked multiple times, sustaining a bruised eye and broken glasses. Because his vision was affected, the artist was unable to perform his role, but insisted on playing one of the instruments so the celebration from Yip's Dragon Style Kung Fu and Lion Dance could be presented in The Public's lobby. The identity of the artist has not been made public.
"We are sharing this because the attack on this Asian American artist, which happened near Seward Park not far from where Christina Yuna Lee was tragically murdered, is another incident in a long history of violence against Asian Americans," said Ma-Yi Producing Artistic Director Ralph Pena and Public Theater Artistic Director Oskar Eustis in the joint statement. "This violence and the hatred that fuels it remain disgusting and heartbreaking and have created an environment full of fear where safety seems scarce for our Asian American neighbors."
READ: Stop AAPI Hate: A Resource Guide to Support the Asian-American Community
Pena and Eustis further state, "We’re sending our love and support to the artist and to the Yip’s Dragon Style Kung Fu and Lion Dance team and their families, and to The Chinese Lady company, and we remind ourselves that what we say to each other, what we say about each other, how we show up for our Asian American neighbors, how we respond when they are scared or in danger, and how we show up as allies makes a difference."
WATCH: Asian and Pacific Islander Theatre Artists Call for Unity and Strength in Anti-Hate PSA
The attack is one in a long history of violence against Asian Americans, which has seen a rise since the beginning of the pandemic. Visit StopAAPIHate.org to find ways of taking action.
