Rally Against Anti-Asian Attacks Held In Bensonhurst

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) - As violent incidents against Asian Americans continue, so do the rallies and protests to support the community.

One rally is teaching people what to do if they witness someone needing help.

As CBS2's Natalie Duddridge reports, the NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force is looking into a video circulating on the internet showing a man getting beaten up and choked. According to the social media post, it happened on the J train at the Kosciuszko Street station in Brooklyn.

In another incident on the Upper East Side, surveillance video shows a suspect police are looking for. They say he hit a 37-year-old woman in the head at the Lexington Avenue-51st Street station over the weekend.

LINK: Stop Asian Hate Resources

"Disgusting. Shouldn't be happening," said Bensonhurst resident Fiona Lamb.

Lamb's 16-year-old daughter was assaulted while she was walking home in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn on 68th Street. She said she accidentally brushed hands with a stranger, and then he pushed her.

"He spat on me. When I turned away, there was a bunch of words said, none of them kind," said Ai Ying Chen. "I felt targeted because I'm an Asian American, because I'm small."

"I feel like my daughter was traumatized that day. She needed me to go out with her the day after," said Chen's mother.

The Chens say in their culture it's not common to speak out, but they're overcoming that Monday by sharing their story at an anti-hate rally.

Elected officials are also teaching bystanders how to respond if they witness an assault.

"We are in the process right now of trying to schedule some bystander intervention training," said St. Sen. Andrew Gounardes. "So that everyone can learn what to do in a situation like this."

Officials say if it's physical, never go after the perpetrator - instead call 911. If it's verbal, try to deescalate the situation.

In:
• New York City Police Department
• New York City
• Hate Crime
• New York