Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
On Monday, Meng joined Mayor Eric Adams at City Hall for a roundtable with Asian-American community leaders and officials to discuss ongoing attacks on Asian-Americans.
By Michael V. Cusenza
Congresswoman Grace Meng (D-Flushing) on Tuesday joined the family of borough resident GuiYing Ma for the announcement of her death after she was attacked last November while sweeping the sidewalk next to her Corona home.
Meng joined the victim’s husband, Zhanxin Gao, and the family’s pro bono attorneys at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP at their office in Manhattan.
Ma, 62, died on Tuesday, Feb. 22 as a result of “complications of blunt impact injury of head.” She was struck in the head with a rock on Nov. 26 while she was sweeping and had been at Elmhurst Hospital since the assault took place.
Photo Courtesy of Rep. Meng
Rep. Meng (l. to r.), a translator, and Ma’s husband.
The suspect, Elisaul Perez, 33, was arrested and indicted for the crime. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz has indicated that the charges against him could be upgraded.
Meng also called for combating the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence.
“I am devastated over the passing of GuiYing Ma and my heart aches for her family,” said Meng. “I will continue to be here for her husband and loved ones at this very difficult time. So many in the Asian-American community continue to live in fear due to ongoing attacks against Asian-Americans. We must continue doing all we can to combat this heinous violence.”
Six days after Ma’s death, Meng joined Mayor Eric Adams at City Hall for a roundtable with Asian-American community leaders and other officials to discuss ongoing attacks on Asian-Americans.
During the event, Meng talked about the enactment of her COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, which is in the process of being fully implemented by federal officials; she also discussed the need to provide mental health resources, and assistance for the homeless, among other things. The event included nearly two-dozen Asian-American organizations, Meng noted.
