WASHINGTON, D.C. — This Sunday marks the 42nd anniversary of the tragic murder of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American man who was brutally beaten to death in Highland Park, Michigan, by two white autoworkers who scapegoated him for the loss of their jobs because he was Asian American. Neither assailant served any time in prison for their crimes.
In advance of Sunday, CAPAC Members released the following statements:
CAPAC Chair Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28):
“Vincent Chin’s brutal murder 42 years ago and the deep grief felt by his friends, family, and AANHPIs across the country continue to reverberate with us all today. The shocking end of Vincent Chin’s life was a watershed moment for our community, sparking one of the first national pan-Asian movements to call for an end to the senseless violence, harmful rhetoric, and inequity that AANHPI communities had experienced throughout American history. As we continue to remember his life and legacy today, we are reminded of the tangible harms that anti-Asian hate and xenophobic rhetoric continue to have on AANHPIs nationwide, especially as COVID-19 and rhetoric around heightened U.S.-China tensions promote racial profiling and extremist targeting. Vincent Chin’s legacy is also a reminder that AANHPI communities can successfully mobilize together in powerful ways against bigotry.
“Last year, I was honored to join the launch of the Vincent Chin Institute, which continues to fight anti-Asian hate and mobilize a new generation of activists. My CAPAC colleagues and I remain committed to building upon these efforts with our partners within and outside of our Caucus to ensure safety for all Americans, including implementing the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and passing the bill to study the creation of a national museum dedicated to AANHPI history and culture.”
CAPAC First Vice-Chair Rep. Grace Meng (NY-06):
“In 1982, Vincent Chin was brutally murdered by two autoworkers who blamed Japanese car imports for their unemployment in the industry. They mistakenly thought Vincent, a Chinese man, was Japanese. This was a horrific act of anti-Asian hate. As anti-China fearmongering continues to rise in the United States in 2024, the anniversary of Chin’s tragic death reminds us that we need to separate the actions of foreign governments abroad from the lives of individuals at home. Asian Americans and all Americans deserve to live free from xenophobia and prejudice in this country. We honor Vincent as we continue telling his story and working to fight injustice, hatred, and violence everywhere we are confronted with them.”
CAPAC Second Vice-Chair Rep. Mark Takano (CA-39):
“Forty-two years ago, Vincent Chin was murdered by bigots in a time when anti-Asian hate was palpable. This horrific event and the life it stole from friends and family remains a reminder of the need for advocacy, education, and change. I am proud of the progress AANHPI people have made in the form of representation in Congress and the passage of strong hate crimes legislation in 2022 – but there is still a lot more work to be done. Today, we recommit ourselves to honoring Vincent Chin’s legacy and call on all our colleagues to root out Anti-Asian hate wherever it may occur.”
CAPAC Whip Rep. Ted Lieu (CA-36):
“As we mark the 42nd anniversary of the brutal murder of Vincent Chin, we must call out racism and xenophobia aimed at the AANHPI community. Vincent Chin was killed after two racists accosted him and blamed him for their economic woes. This kind of bigoted thinking is still present today. Anti-Asian rhetoric during the pandemic led to a shocking rise in harassment and violence against Asian people in the United States. Our former president, Donald Trump, repeatedly used racist tropes and stereotypes to attack Asian Americans. Even recently, Trump continues to mock Elaine Chao’s name, which disrespects her and the Asian American community. It is despicable for anyone to mock or attack others based on their race or ethnicity and I continue to stand with my CAPAC and House Democratic colleagues in condemning this dangerous rhetoric targeting the AANHPI community.”
CAPAC Freshman Representative Rep. Jill Tokuda (HI-02):
“While Asian Americans have lived with racism and discrimination long before we knew the name Vincent Chin, his brutal and hateful murder was the tipping point that sparked a movement that continues till today. The sad truth is that the greatest threat facing Asian Americans is invisibility and indifference. A blind eye to the Anti-Asian hate, xenophobia, and model minority stereotypes that plague us continue to leave our people feeling unwelcome in our own country. As we honor the memory of Vincent Chin, let us remember that there is still much work to be done to ensure a safer, more just and inclusive society for all our AANHPI communities.”
Rep. Ro Khanna (CA-17):
“Today marks 42 years since Vincent Chin was tragically murdered in an act of anti-Asian violence in Detroit. Decades later, we are still grappling with violence, bullying, and discrimination against AANHPI communities. I join my CAPAC colleagues in honoring Vincent Chin’s life by continuing to condemn racism, xenophobia, and violence in any form.”
Rep. Shri Thanedar (MI-13):
“42 years ago, Vincent Chin was beaten to death in the heart of my district. With violence against the AANHPI community reaching all-time highs, Vincent’s murder is a reminder of the work we still have to do to make sure all Americans feel safe in their own skin. I stand with my CAPAC colleagues in fighting racism and hate against AANHPI Americans.”
