Lily and Vincent Chin Advocacy Award Ceremony*
Two Midland, Texas heroes, Zach Owen and Bernie Ramirez, who intervened in a violent anti-Asian stabbing of the Cung Family, a Burmese father and his two young sons, will receive the Lily and Vincent Chin Advocacy Award* on Monday, June 22 at 10:30 am CST at the Chinese Community Center in Houston, TX. Despite injuries to his leg and hand, Zach Owen, with the help of Bernie Ramirez, disarmed and subdued the attacker until the police arrived. Labeled a “hate crime”, the suspect said he thought the family was Chinese and spreading the coronavirus.
The award is named after Vincent Chin, a young Chinese man who was brutally beaten to death because he was mistaken for being Japanese by two White auto workers in Detroit in the early 80’s when Japan threatened the US auto industry. Lily Chin, Vincent’s mother, was a strong and tireless advocate against her son’s brutal murder and the lenient punishment and fines his attackers were given.
The ceremony will be video streamed and can be viewed online, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opm1Lbx9pdc
Donation to the 2 and 6 year-old Hate Crime Victims
At the ceremony, United Chinese Americans (UCA) will also present a donation to the Cung Family to support the medical expenses for future surgeries and challenges the 2 and 6 year-old children may face due to the attack. Please use the bottom on the right if you wish to donate.
“From Vincent Chin to George Floyd” Webinar
A panel discussion will be held virtually via Zoom on the evening of Monday, June 22 at 7:00 pm CST, discussing the 38th anniversary of the brutal killing of Vincent Chin and the recent killing of George Floyd. Both deaths created and sustained a major movement caused by racial hate. Zoom link will be provided upon registration at https://form.jotform.com/201684865046057.
Panelists:
- Helen Zia, an award-winning journalist and community activist who has covered Asian American communities and social and political movements for many years. She is a founder in the movement for justice for Vincent Chin and is an outspoken voice for human rights.
- Zach Owen, Recipient of the Lily and Vincent Chin Advocacy Award* for risking his life to save the Burmese family from hate crime committed at Midland, TX on March 14, 2020.
- Reagan Hognojos, a friend of the Cung family.
- Mark Touban, an attorney and serves as the Regional Director for the ADL’s Southwest Regional Office in Houston, TX
- Cherry Steinwender, co-Executive Director and co-founder of the Center for the Healing of Racism.
- Annie Tan, a special education teacher and storyteller in New York’s Chinatown. She has been a fighter for public education, unions, tenants and Asian American rights. She is a cousin of the late Vincent Chi
Moderator: Gordon Quan, attorney and former Houston Council member
Thank you.
Please email q2speaker@gmail.com for questions, or comments.
* The AASFH has been authorized by the Estate of the Chin family to use the name “Lily and Vincent Chin Advocacy Award” for this special recognition of two Frontline Heroes on June 22, 2020.