Over 150 attendees joined in a bike ride in solidarity against AAPI violence (Photo: Courtesy of Julie Won)
April 26, 2021 By Christina Santucci
More than 150 participants turned out for a bike ride in Queens Saturday in solidarity against anti-Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) violence, event organizers said.
The 10-mile ride, held Saturday afternoon, was put together by Biking Public Project Co-Founder Helen Ho, Margaret Lu of Girls Bike NYC, activist Pam Yang and City Council candidates Carolyn Tran and Julie Won.
Tran is running for the seat currently held by Councilmember Daniel Dromm, and Won is vying to replace Councilmember Jimmy Van Bramer. The incumbents are both term limited.
The organizers said the large bike event was the first of its kind to be led and organized by AAPI women. They also aim to build solidarity with other groups run by women of color and those who are working for racial justice.
“We’re riding to say that those most impacted should be the voices we hear the loudest to affect change,” Tran said in a statement.
Event organizers (Photo courtesy of Julie Won)
The event, which began in Queensbridge Park and ended in Elmhurst Park, included a brief pause on Justice Avenue in Elmhurst – as riders chanted “no justice, no peace.”
Members of Street Riders NYC, an organization that held massive bike protests in support of Black Lives Matter over the past year, took part in the ride.
Tran rode along with her two young daughters.
Both she and Won are calling for a community-led response to the rise in violence directed at Asian Americans.
“This ride should not be misconstrued as a call for more violent policing,” Won said in a statement. “Instead, we are here to build solidarity amongst marginalized New Yorkers of color and advocate for community-led public safety.”
Photo: Courtesy of Julie Won
Photo: Courtesy of Julie Won
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