Amidst Attacks on Asians, NYPD Teaching Karate Classes

Photo: Karlin Chan
The NYPD is taking a proactive approach to the spate of hate crimes targeting Asian women by holding free self-defense classes around the city.
This past Sunday, several dozen women participated in lessons given by Inspector Tommy Ng. The police officer is head of the Asian hate crimes task force, which was established to address the surge in biased attacks on Asian women throughout the city. Equipment and additional instructors were provided by Tiger Schulman’s karate.
The basic self-defense techniques taught are meant to defend oneself, surprise an attacker, and flee if approached or attacked on the streets.
Though the NYPD has added resources to address these biased incidents, harassment and sometimes physical attacks continue. So, many Asian women have resorted to learning basic self defense and carrying pepper spray.