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PRESS RELEASES FROM: (click on dates)
Pipe Dream - dates: 3/3, 3/7
Press & Sun-Bulletin - dates: 3/1, 3/7, 3/11, 3/15, 3/16
New York Times - dates: 3/26
Other documents:
Follow up letter from BU's President Lois DeFleur
Updated and Full Story (Sent 3/22/00)
- ASU's President's E-Mail Message
- Full and Updated Version of Story
- Victim: Background & Current Condition
- Letter from President Lois DeFleur
- Commmentary by Rizalene Zabala
- Events that happened & Statements
- Demands of the ASU
ASU's Thank you
ASU's Statement
Press & Sun-Bulletin 3/16/2000
In hate-crime protest, students
demand answers and action By GEORGE BASLER Staff Writer
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Binghamton University student Jason Kim carried a carnation into the
administration building Wednesday to give to university President Lois B.
DeFleur.
In the Korean tradition, students give carnations to teachers as a sign of
respect, Kim said. But that wasn't his intention. "It's silent irony on
our part," said Kim, a 21-year-old Korean-American junior.
Kim was one of about 300 Binghamton University students who rallied
against hate crimes on the campus Wednesday. Many later jammed the first
two floors of the administration building to confront DeFleur over the
administration's alleged lack of response to a Feb. 27 fracas on the
campus that left one Asian student with a fractured skull and some
hemorrhaging.
The often raucous demonstration, which brought together students of all
races, followed a rally Tuesday in the student union.
"In the Asian way, we're brought up to be quiet and swallow our words. But
we have to speak up," Kim said.
Students said they were upset that the administration failed to tell them
sooner about the alleged assault of four Asian students on Feb. 27 by
three members of BU's wrestling team. One of the wrestlers, Chad W. Scott,
18, of Walton, has also been charged with disorderly conduct in connection
with a brawl with some Asian students two weeks earlier at Denny's on the
Vestal Parkway.
One of the protesters' demands was for the immediate expulsion of Scott
and another wrestler, Nicholas E. Richetti, 19, of Waverly, who allegedly
assaulted another person in a separate incident earlier on Feb. 27. All
three wrestlers are now under suspension from school pending disciplinary
hearings.
The Feb. 27 assault has them worried about anti-Asian feelings on the
campus, several demonstrators said, although they could point to no other
specific incidents of open hostility.
Wednesday's demonstration is a sign that Asian-American students, who make
up 14 percent of Binghamton University's enrollment, are going to be more
vocal on the campus, some said.
"We want to build coalitions with other groups," said May Nazareno, BU's
Student Association vice president for multi-cultural affairs. "We are
Binghamton University, and if the administration doesn't understand that,
we need to make them understand that," she told the crowd.
Wednesday's demonstration began with a 90-minute rally in front of the
library. Students, chanting and carrying protest signs, then marched
across the campus to the administration building where they received
carnations to give to DeFleur.
While many of the protesters were Asian-Americans, participants included
students of all races. "I think it's important for people of all races to
speak against racism and violence. It's my duty to put my foot down," said
Josef Orlyk, 20, a sophomore.
After university officials locked the elevators and entrances to the
stairways in the eight-story building, students filled the first floor
lobby area and second floor.
After 45 noisy minutes, a visibly upset DeFleur came from her office on
the eighth floor to talk with students. "We do not tolerate bigotry on the
campus," she told the crowd, adding the three wrestlers are facing
criminal and disciplinary proceedings.
University officials could not openly discuss the Feb. 27 incident sooner
without jeopardizing the criminal investigation, she said. All three
wrestlers have the right of due process, she told the rowd.
Her answers did not please some students who yelled at and heckled
DeFleur, and then broke into a chant of "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Lois DeFleur
has got to go" when she finished.
But six of the student leaders met later with DeFleur to discuss concerns
and agreed to meet again after the spring break from classes.
Other demands from the Asian-American students include the hiring of more
counselors familiar with Asian cultures and an apology from the athletic
department for the Feb. 27 incident.
"We can't let this die," Kim said.
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Press & Sun-Bulletin 3/11/2000
BU student linked to prior conflict:
Suspect involved in Denny's brawl by Greg Erbstoesser Staff Writer One of the three Binghamton University students charged with gang assault on Asian students last month has been linked to an earlier brawl involving Asian students outside a Vestal restaurant. Chad W. Scott, 18, of Walton, along with four other students, one white, and three Asian, were each charged with disorderly conduct, a violation, by Vestal police, following the fracas early Feb. 11 outside the front door to Denny's restaurant at Vestal Parkway and Bunn Hill Road. University police have been questioning witnesses to the Feb. 11 Denny's fight this week following the Feb. 27 melee outside a university dormitory. Both the fight at Denny's and the fight on BU campus involved Asian students. In addition to Scott, Vestal police charged the four others Feb. 11, all Binghamton University students, with disorderly conduct, a misdemeanor: Joseph J. Privitere, 19, of 215 Hayes Road, Binghamton; Ian Kim, 20, of Bayside; Andrew Lee, 19, of 159 West End Ave., Binghamton: and William Quan, 19, of Brooklyn. Meanwhile, one of the trio involved in the Feb. 27 gang assault, Nicholas W. Richetti, 19, of Waverly, faces a third-degree assault charge, a misdemeanor, filed by Binghamton police in an unrelated beating of another university student during a downtown Binghamton fraternity party earlier, Feb. 27. Scott, Richetti and Christopher M. Taylor, 20, each have been charged with second-degree gang assault, a felony, in the Feb. 27 attack on four Asian students outside Onondaga Hall, one of Binghamton University's dormitories. Scott's name, previously withheld by Vestal Town Justice Joseph Meagher, was made public Friday after requests by the Press & Sun-Bulletin to the court and to the state Office of Court Adminstration. While Scott is 18 and eligible for youthful offender status in which his name, the charges and court disposition may be kept private, state law provides no protection when the charge is a felony. The Feb.27 attack seriously injured John E. Lee, who suffered a fractured skull in the beating after he was allegedly head-butted by Richetti and then kicked and punched after he had fallen to the ground, witnesses said. According to the Asian students' statements to university police, they were taunted with racial slurs. In the Binghamton incident, Binghamton police said Richetti head-butted another student while at a fraternity party at 217 Washington St., several hours before the brawl at the university. Witnesses at the fraternity party said Richetti head-butted another university student, Nathan Marafinoti of Troy. Marafioti suffered a broken nose, according to witnesses. The three, Richetti, Taylor and Scott, members of the school's wrestling team, were served Monday with university notices suspending them from school and ordering them to vacate their dormitory rooms. Broome County Senior Assistant District Attorney Joseph Romani said prosecutors are still in the preliminary stages of their investgation of the gang assault attack. Romani said he is aware of the two other altercations in Binghamton and at the Denny's restaurant. "It's too soon to tell," Romani said what direction the case may go and whether the charge will be taken before a Broome County grand jury.
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New York Times March 26, 2000 SUNY Binghamton Is Criticized Over Anti-Asian Attack By LISA W. FODERARO Officials of the State University of New York at Binghamton are being criticized for their delayed response to what the police say was a bias attack on four Asian-American students by three white members of the school's wrestling team. One of the students injured in the Feb. 27 assault, 19-year- old John E.Lee of the Bronx, suffered a fractured skull and internal hemorrhaging. The three others received minor injuries or none at all. The wrestlers were charged on March 6 by the state university police with second-degree gang assault, a felony. Three days later, the university's president, Lois B. DeFleur, issued a statement condemning the attack, saying, "Violence and bigotry have no place on campus." The Federal Bureau of Investigation is also conducting an inquiry to determine whether the assault involved a violation of federal civil rights law. The accused students have pleaded not guilty, and a lawyer for one of them says the Asian-American students initiated the attack. There were reports in The Press and Sun-Bulletin of Binghamton as early as March 1 that the university police were investigating a bias attack, and at a rally last week, hundreds of students and several faculty members protested the assault and the school's response, which they called unacceptably late. "The fact that it took them two weeks to issue a statement to the student body was ridiculous," said Peter Van Do, president of the university's Asian Student Union. Sin Yen Ling, a legal fellow at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund in Manhattan, which is monitoring the criminal proceedings for three of the four Asian-American students involved, also faulted the university. "I have to agree with the student union that the response was rather slow," Ms. Ling said. University officials say they withheld immediate comment at the urging of law enforcement officials who feared that a public statement would jeopardize the investigation. "One thing I told a group of students was that if we had compromised the investigation, then we'd have no case, and then you really would have been angry with us," said Rodger Summers, vice president for student affairs. The attack, along with another confrontation involving one of the wrestlers, stunned the Binghamton campus, where Asian- Americans make up 20 percent of the 12,000-member student body. Administrators and students alike say there has been no history of overt tensions between Asian-Americans and whites at the university. The Feb. 27 incident involved four Korean-American students, two of whom were visiting from other universities, and three white wrestlers: Nicholas W. Richetti, 19, Christopher M. Taylor, 20, and an 18-year-old student whose case has been sealed because he could be tried as a youthful offender. According to law enforcement officials, two of the Korean- American students were standing outside a campus dormitory shortly before dawn when the wrestlers approached. There was an exchange of words, including racial slurs directed at the Asian students, and two of their friends, also Korean-Americans, raced outside the dorm to see what was going on, officials said. A fight ensued. Law enforcement officials say the wrestlers, who they say were not injured in the fighting, initiated the assault, but their lawyers say the wrestlers are innocent. "The only gang was four Asian youths who instigated the incident," said Terence P. O'Leary, who is representing the 18- year-old. "The charge of gang assault against him is hogwash." Thomas A. Saitta, a lawyer representing Mr. Taylor, says that his client happened upon the fight on his way back to the dormitory and "got hit in the side of the head." Mr. Richetti's lawyer, Robert Miller, could not be reached yesterday. When it was over, two Korean-American students had suffered minor facial injuries, while Mr. Lee, a freshman, was put in intensive care with a fractured skull after being head-butted and then kicked in the head, according to Ms. Ling. Mr. Lee has since returned to school. The fourth Korean- American student was not injured. The 18-year-old wrestler has also been charged with disorderly conduct for his role in a fight with Asian-American students at a Denny's restaurant near campus on Feb. 11. In addition, Mr. Richetti, who won the championship title in his weight class at last year's state high school wrestling tournament, was charged by the Binghamton police with misdemeanor assault in an attack earlier on Feb. 27 against a white student. The wrestlers have pleaded not guilty to all the charges. The university has suspended the wrestlers pending further disciplinary action, which could include their eventual expulsion; the Asian Student Union wants the wrestlers expelled immediately. Mr. Van Do said his organization was also demanding that the university hire more Asian-American teachers and two Asian- American counselors at the university's counseling center. (Last week, the university agreed to hire one Asian-American counselor.) The criminal case, now in the hands of the Broome County district attorney's office, has made use of a four-year-old state charge aimed at stemming group violence.
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Other Documents:
President DeFleur issued the following letter 3/24/00
to the University Community
March 24, 2000 To the University Community: As a follow-up to my March 9 letter to the campus community, I want to take this opportunity to continue our dialogue. Again, in light of recent assaults on our students, I want to express my deepest concern for the well being of all members of the Binghamton University community; students, faculty and staff -- and to reiterate that we will not tolerate violent behavior on our campus. I want to be clear; those who seriously violate our expectations for responsible university citizenship have been and will continue to be removed from campus and will face appropriate criminal and campus disciplinary action. I repudiate racism and bigotry and join with the members of this community in expressing our rejection of the philosophy of hatred. Binghamton University is dedicated to the full realization of an inclusive community. We have sponsored programs, worked with student groups and enriched our curriculum, but we cannot achieve this goal without the full cooperation of everyone who lives, studies and works on campus. We are also committed to a safe and secure campus, so again I urge you to report immediately any incident or activity that violates Binghamton's standards of conduct. In order to put rumors to rest or to confirm and investigate actual incidents, prompt reporting to the proper authorities on campus is essential. University Police can be reached at 777-2393 and I urge you to call them to report any such incident. The university will bring its resources to bear to assist the members of our community and to make the campus safe. As I have requested, Athletic Director Dr. Joel Thirer is reviewing the University's wrestling program. The Intercollegiate Athletic Board will assist in framing a recommendation to me, and we will publicly announce this before the end of the semester. On March 15, senior administrators joined me in a meeting with representatives of the Asian Student Union. Our conversation was frank and informative. It focused primarily on the University's procedure for assisting students and their families in times of duress. While the University has always come to the aid of our students and their families in times of crisis, we agreed that student leadership would assist in a review of this process in order to ensure continuing improvement in this vital area. Additionally, it was determined that a new Asian-American counselor would be hired in the University Counseling Center. The ASU Executive Board will assist in reviewing the position description and in promoting an applicant pool. The session concluded by establishing a date and time for a follow-up meeting after spring break. We are all committed to a learning environment that stresses mutual respect, integrity and the celebration of differences. I ask that you join with me in supporting our University community. Sincerely, Lois B. DeFleur President
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E-Mail sent 3/22/00
Hi everyone, My name is Peter Van Do and I am the President of the Asian Student Union of SUNY-Binghamton. I would like to thank all those who replied giving us your support. Some of you have already heard from me and some of you haven't. If you are confused, read further and you will understand soon. Below is a condensed and "cleaned" version of what I have been sending out to most of you in the past few days. There was a anti-Asian hate crime committed on our campus Feb. 27, 2000. The victim is a Korean-American freshman second-semester transfer student. He suffered internal-bleeding and a fractured skull. Now he has short-term memory loss. The SUNY-Binghamton administration did not inform or contact the victim about his rights as a victim of a hate crime, did not inform his parents, directly, of what happened to his son, and they issued a statement two weeks after the incident to the student body after our organization was publicly informing the students that the assault was racially motivated. Did they think the Asian community would be "passive" about this? We need your help. 1) please inform all you know about this crime 2) contact the media about this. especially the national and NYC metro news sources. We want to get alot of attention to SUNY- Binghamton's administration. 3) contact the SUNY Board of Trustees in Albany. They are in charge of the whole SUNY school system. They are also the bosses of the SUNY-Binghamton administration. I don't know the contact info for the SUNY Board of Trustees. I will try to find out later and send you all the info. If anyone of you can actually find this info out please send it to me. 4) contact the SUNY-Binghamton administration of your concerns and discontent. I have included their email and mailing address below in the email. 5) give us your insight and advice from your own experiences. What worked and what didn't. Below is a summary of what we have done including the facts and opinions of the incident. A respected person informed me of a case at UConn-Storrs. One of the outcomes was an Asian American Cultural Center in a new edifice built just for it. What did they do? 6) inform all you know (especially Asian Americans) that no incidence is too small to report. The National Asian Pacific American Legal Consortium has an Incident Report Form and another one geared directly for college students. We need to report and document these injustices more. We, the Asian Student Union, are tired of being invisible. For more info contact the Asian American Leagal Defense and Educational Fund in New York at:aaldef@worldnet.att.net We are also thinking of having an inter-collegiate rally against Hate Crimes across the nation that go unheard. Tell us what you think. I am sorry for giving most of you a "tag-team" run with the emails. I am no longer able to use my school email account due to the possibility that the administration is reading and deleting my messages sent and received. I was booted out of my account last night. I was only on for 5 minutes trying to obtain some of your email addresses. And I tried using my yahoo account, but I hate it and I found out that sent messages to most of you were cut off. So now I am at excite as: crazyvando@excite.com. With excite I can also recieve faxes and voice messages. My Voicemail: 1-888-Excite2, ext. 291-348-7977. Again, the full and updated story is included below. We hope to hear from you all soon. Sorry for the long email. This is very important to us. In hopes of solidarity, Peter Van Do Asian Student Union President
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********************************************** Please forward this email to all you know: In the very early morning hours of Februrary 27th, 2000, four Asians were assaulted by three Caucasian Binghamton University (SUNY) wrestling team members outside Onondaga Hall in College in the Woods dormitory community. As reported in the Press and Sun-Bulletin, three Binghamton University undergraduates, Chad W. Schott, Nicholas W. Richetti, and Christopher M. Taylor are all facing prison time and have been charged with second degree gang assault, a felony, for allegedly attacking four Asian students. Most seriously injured was John E. Lee, who suffered a fractured skull. The newspaper reports that the Asian students were taunted with racial slurs, and that the three students who have been charged, all members of the BU Wrestling Team, have been suspended from the university. Though this is clearly a race issue, the Binghamton administration and student newspaper (Pipe Dream) have done absolutely nothing and have said nothing in regard to this matter being racial. Not one person representing the university bothered to visit the hospitalized victim, and not one person has condoned the heinous acts of the wrestlers. Now we all know politics and money rule the world. And everyone knows this school is investing an overabundance of funds into the athletic program. An incident such as what happened two weekends ago of course will deter more money from the state government and benefactors. Perhaps this is the reason why this is so "hush hush." Or maybe the administration believes nothing will come out of this since Asian Americans have been known to be "passive" and "quiet" when it comes to matters of justice and politics. But we cannot condone this type of behavior, and we cannot turn the page on this. The attack could have happened to anyone. It is time now to do something about this, and time to make ourselves known that we do not and will not tolerate injustice to our race, or to any human being. Let us not shy away from this and be perceived to be week and tolerant of abuses. JUSTICE must be served! Make yourself be heard. This is something that impacts you and everyone else. DO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO TREAD ON YOU. Also, please let the administration at Binghamton know that this sort of behavior will not be condoned, by e-mailing them. President Lois DeFleur:ldefleur@binghamton.edu VP for Student Affairs Rodger Summers: rsummers@binghamton.edu Asst. VP/Student Life, Student Affairs Lloyd Howe: lhowe@binghamton.edu Assoc. VP & Dean for Student Affairs David Anderson: anderson@binghamton.edu Assoc. VP for University Relations John Hachtel: jhachtel@binghamton.edu Director for Affirmative Action Francine Montemurro: monte@binghamton.edu Provost/VP for Academic Affairs Mary Ann Swain: mswain@binghamton.edu If you would rather mail the SUNY-Binghamton administration, all SUNY-Binghamton persons above share the same address. just add title and name and the address supplied below. Cooper Administration Building P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, NY 13902-6000
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PERSONAL BACKGROUND ON THE STUDENT WHO WAS ASSUALTED: John E. Lee is a freshman from NYC whose parents work in laundry business. He has one one older brother. All four are naturalized U.S. citizens (some of you asked about this for strategy reasons). John was assaulted in a racial incident by three white students 2/27 (Nicholas W. Richetti, Chad Scott and Christopher Taylor), on campus. He was kicked in the head and beaten. He was sent to the hospital with fractured skull and internal bleeding. Now, John is recovering. He was worried about grades and classes and early released himself from the hospital. Our concerns are that a fractured skull may result in brain seizures or side effects yet to be seen in the future. He has stated that he wishes to see the assailants brought to justice. He will be talking with AALDEF shortly. We ask that you not try to contact John at this time. Due to legal procedures, John is not allowed to talk to general public at this time.
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LETTER FROM PRESIDENT LOIS DEFLEUR: *Note: The following letter from President DeFleur to the University Community was released on Friday, March 10. The incident it mentions took place in the very early morning hours of February 27, outside Onondaga Hall in College in the Woods dormitory community. As reported in the Press and Sun-Bulletin, three Binghamton University undergraduates, Chad W. Schott, Nicholas W. Richetti, and Christopher M. Taylor have been charged with second degree gang assault, a felony, for allegedly attacking four Asian students. Most seriously injured was John E. Lee, who suffered a fractured skull. The newspaper reports that the Asian students were taunted with racial slurs, and that the three students who have been charged, all members of the BU Wrestling Team, have been suspended from the university. State University of New York OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT Binghamton, New York March 9, 2000 To the University Community: The recent incident of a violent assault directed toward Binghamton University students shocks and saddens all of us. As President, I want to convey my great concern to the victims of this violence, and to state publicly that violence and bigotry have no place on our campus. We will not tolerate behavior that threatens or violates the safety and security of our students, faculty or staff. I want to reiterate clearly what I have said in the past - Binghamton University will mobilize its resources to pprotect and assist our students and to ensure a safe and secure campus. From the beginning of this incident, Binghamton administrators have been providing assistance to the victims and others affected. The office of student affairs has been working with them from the moment the incident was reported to ensure their immediate and long-term needs were addressed. The following day, when sufficient information was available, Student Affairs initiated the student judicial process as it related to those involved. The University Police are working in concert with external law enforcement agencies to ensure there is no compromise of the ability to bring criminal charges where necessary. The University believes matters such as these must be dealt with firmly and we will always take strong and immediate action, up to and including removing students from campus, in order to provide a safe campus environment. In this case, both criminal and student judicial processes are currently underway. Since the allegations implicate members of the wrestling team, I have asked the University's athletic director to review the goals and objectives of the wrestling program. Through this review, we want to ensure that the athletes who will represent Binghamton as members of the team are excellent scholars and good University citizens. We must all continue to work together to oppose disrespect, insensitivity and violence on our campus. The University has, in the recent past,sponsored multiple diversity training sessions and events for faculty, staff and students and we will continue to provide these educational opportunities for all members of our community. Those who work and study on this campus have a deep appreciation and understanding of diversity's rich contribution to achieving our goals. I affirm our commitment to an inclusive community where all people will feel safe, welcome, and appreciated. Sincerely, Lois B. DeFleur, President
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COMMENTARY BY RIZALENE ZABALA, CO-ACADEMIC VP OF ASU: Two weeks after the Hate Crime Assault at SUNY-Binghamton, the Administration responds. Why did it take the University TWO WEEKS to respond or make any sort of statement about this crime? The student body had a right to know. We deserve to know! This hesitation in response demonstrates their lack of concern for the student body and the victim. A serious and hateful crime was committed! The act was not a mere punch in the face, it was a FRACTURED SKULL! The student body deserves to be reassured as quickly as possible that crimes such as these are not tolerated on this campus! Honestly, if it were another student of a different ethnic background the administration would have acted quickly. It took the Administration two weeks to say anything. This cannot be tolerated. How can the students of SUNY Binghamton especially the Asian/Asian American students continue feeling safe on this campus with the realization that the University took its' time to respond publicly about this situation. Some students on this campus did not know that this incident occurred. Something is wrong. In addition the points made in this letter from the President do not address the seriousness of the crime in relation the administrations' plan of action. As students we simply want justice and the knowledge that the University will take a more proactive stance. We do not want to single out the wrestling team, what we do want is to make sure that students can feel safe in the fact that the University will act immediately on a student's behalf if a crime such as this should ever occur again. It could have happened to any one of us. Workshops on diversity are not enough! What about a more diverse counseling program. In this case the inclusion of an Asian/Asian American counselor to the University Staff. The Administration did not make a strong enough attempt to reach out to the victim. The victim checked himself out of the hospital early because he did not want to fall behind in his studies. No one was initially there to inform him of his rights (incomplete, etc.) Even if there was a language barrier between the parents and the administration, the administration should have made more than an attempt to find a translator to communicate to the victim his rights. An Asian American Counselor would have been trained in this situation to be able to understand the victim's situation and help the victim out. This is the more proactive stand the University should have made. Mere diversity workshops do not cut it! -Rizalene Zabala
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UPDATE: There was an Open Forum Organizational Meeting for faculty and students to Respond to Increases Racial Harrassment and Assault on the SUNY-Binghamton Campus March 14, 2000 presented by the Asian Student Union. There were over 300 in attendence who were Asian, Black, Latino, white, Muslim, and faculty of color in the SUNY-Binghamton Student Union. Also included a guest speaker from the Asian American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (AALDEF) in NYC. AALDEF will be taking over the case concerning the victim. The following day the Asian Student Union organized a Rally March 14, 2000. There were over 300 persons of all colors and religions in solidarity against Hate Crimes in general. Other student organizations made statements concerning the rescent rise in Racial Harrassment and Assault at SUNY-Binghamton. Later, students marched around campus and held a sit-in at the Cooper Administration Building. Six student leaders had a meeting with the President,VP for Student Affairs, Assist. VP for Student Life, Assoc. VP and Dean of Students, and Assoc. VP for University Relations. The administration, named above gave a terrible excuse saying that their lawyers advised them not to make a statement until later. We also found out that they did not contact the parents (hospital told them that they contacted the parents and they would arrive in a few hours) and did not even know if the parents arrived to Binghamton, NY at all. The victim (John) was not contacted by the administration on his rights as a victim in the campus community. He was never informed of obtaining incompletes in his courses to stay in the hospital (he thought he would fail so that is why he returned to class in two days) and never informed about taking action against his assaulters. John is a freshman transfer for the Spring semester, who would not know about these things w/o being specifically informed about them. Our demands were heard in the meeting, but there will be more meetings further in the future. The administration, afraid of the Asian Student Union's actions, have now gone to the means of possibly tapping our campus phone calls and reading/deleting our campus email services. ASU STATEMENT GIVEN AT THE OPEN FORUM AND RALLY MARCH 14TH & 15TH "In light of the CIW Incident that occurred Sunday morning February 27, 2000 where Asian American students were both verbally and physically assaulted, ASU and all its subgroups (KASA, BUJA, CASU, PAL, TASC and VSA) are taking a strong position to speak out about and against hate crimes that go unnoticed on our campus. When a fractured skull or serious personal injuries are involved, we cannot remain silent, especially when our campus administration does not take immediate action to attend to the needs of the students injured. "However, this is only one instance committed against Asian/Asian Americans in America and on college campuses. We have historically been perceived as either the "yellow peril" (in times of economic crises) or the "model minority" when our goverment needs a representation of the "American Dream." Either roles have caste us as "outsiders" of the American Society. In other words, we are the "aliens," the immigrants, the non- assimilable. This is all too obvious for us as we remember the internment of the Japanese Americans when our citizenship rights to liberty and justice were stripped away. This is evermore- obvious when racial slurs like "Go back home Chink" are spat upon us regardless of our ethnic specificity. "But, perhaps, these racial remarks/insults and hate crimes inflicted upon us are unrelated to questions of our loyalty to the United States of America, rather, they are founded upon the idea or belief that Asian/Asian Americans are a submissive, quiet and non-confrontational homogeneous group of people. Well then, let us be a testament that all the different Asian/Asian American groups on this campus will no longer tolerate any form of neither racism nor racial violence committed against us! We are also not alone in taking this position against hate crimes on our campus. We stand in solidarity with all the ICA Committee organizations (ASO, BSU, CSA, HaSA, IISU, LASU, Hillel/JSU, MSA, RPU, Womyn's Center and Thurgood Marshall) for a safe campus for learning!"
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ASU DEMANDS 1. The ASU demands an immediate apology from the Administration for the tardiness of its response. Waiting almost two weeks to release any sort of reaction to the attack signals great ineffectiveness. Releasing a statement that condemns student violence whether it is race related or not does jeopardize the case, nor does it take almost two weeks to produce. The Administration failed to act when the student body desperately needed assurance of their personal safety. 2. The ASU demands the immediate expulsion of the attackers in this incident. In regards to this particular case, we insist upon the immediate expulsion of Nicholas Richetti and Chad Scott. Richetti's involvment in another assault earlier that night, and Scott's involvement in a prior incident at Denny's indicate to ASU that their behavior is not just an isolated incident, but rather, one event in a pattern of violence. Protecting the student body requires that these suspects be permanently removed from campus. 3. The ASU demands the hiring of 2 full time counselors trained in Asian American Affairs. Asian students comprise of more than 20 percent of campus and we need someone whose knowledge of the Asian/Asian-American culture can assist in times of trauma and doubt. Especially in light of the recent incidents, students need trained professionals with whom they can discuss their concerns and fears. 4. The ASU demands that the Administration produce a specific plan listing what they have done so far to help the victim, and what they will continue to do to see that injustice is done in this case. ASU wishes to be heavily involved in these matters which concern the Asian/Asian-American community. Whether it is assisting in the hiring of new staff or discussing the plan of action for the assault, ASU needs to be involved so as to ensure that actions taken will happen quickly and effectively. 5. The ASU demands an increase in those trained to educate students about Asian and Asian American culture. In Dr. Sommers' letter to the ASU, he writes, "We will continue to work expediently to bring closure to this incident." ASU firmly believes that closure to this incident will not occur simply with token actions taken to promote diversity. Closure will only occur when the student body can be sure that incidents such as the one that occurred on February 27, 2000 will never happen again. Educators specializing in Asian and Asian-American Affairs, hired with the approval of ASU, are essential if the University wishes to promote and sustain its reputation as a diverse institution. 6. The ASU demands that the athletic department and faculty release a statement condemning the incident at CIW. We believe that the CIW incident does not reflect in any way the student body, the wrestling team or athletics at Binghamton University. ASU requests that these departments reassure us in this belief. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Asian Student Union "Silence is Oppression" Celebrating Years of Collaboration, Diversity and Political Activism SUNY-Binghamton P.O. Box 2000 Binghamton, NY 13902-2000 Phone: (607) 777-4847 (HUGS) Website:www.sa.binghamton.edu/~asu Fax: (607) 777-6501 Attn: ASU Email: asu@sa.binghamton.edu Radio Show: "Asian Underground" Thursdays 6:30-7:00 WHRW, 90.5 Come visit us at the ASU Office in the University Union (UU259) near the Off Campus College-OCC Office.
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E-mail of Thank you to all the supporters
3/16/00 We, the Asian Student Union, would like to express our gratitude to all who showed their presence in support for the Open Forum Organizational Meeting to discuss the CIW Racial Assault and the Hate Crimes Rally. We would also like to acknowledge that if it weren't for the ICA Committee, the VPMA, Asian Greek organizations, Asian Christian Fellowships, PAC, SAVE EOP, Jump Nation, and yourselves - these two events would not be successful. It was so beautiful to see Asians, Blacks, Latinos, Whites, Muslims, Jews, Christians come together in solidarity. And it was this solidarity that the administration took us seriously. Our voices were heard for a change. In addition, we demand that the administration will continue to listen to our voices instead of maybe meeting with us just this once. We intend that Lois Defleur, Rodgers Summers, David Anderson, Lloyd Howe and John Hachtel will continue their promise to meet with the ASU and ICA representatives for further discussions of our demands. This is just the beginning. Also we should not forget the person who was effected by this Racial Assault the most. The man who could have lost his life because of the great ignorance of Nicholas Richetti and Chad Scott. And let us not forget that this could have happened to anyone of us and that the Administration did not take to the proper actions to inform us, the student body. With all their excuses, we will only demand that justice be served. It is our right. Take care everyone and have a safe Spring Break, Peter Van Do Asian Student Union President
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Asian Student Union's Statement 3/16/00
In light of the CIW Incident that occurred Sunday morning February 27, 2000. where Asian American students were both verbally and physically assaulted, ASU and all its subgroups (KASA, BUJA, CASU, PAL, TASC and VSA) are taking a strong position to speak out about and against hate crimes that go unnoticed on our campus. When a fractured skull or serious personal injuries are involved, we cannot remain silent, especially when our campus administration does not take immediate action to attend to the needs of the students injured. However, this is only one instance committed against Asian/Asian Americans in America and on college campuses. We have historically been perceived as either the "yellow peril" (in times of economic crises) or the "model minority" when our goverment needs a representation of the "American Dream." Either roles have caste us as "outsiders" of the American Society. In other words, we are the "aliens," the immigrants, the non-assimilable. This is all too obvious for us as we remember the internment of the Japanese Americans when our citizenship rights to liberty and justice were stripped away. This is evermore-obvious when racial slurs like "Go back home Chink" are spat upon us regardless of our ethnic specificity. But, perhaps, these racial remarks/insults and hate crimes inflicted upon us are unrelated to questions of our loyalty to the United States of America, rather, they are founded upon the idea or belief that Asian/Asian Americans are a submissive, quiet and non-confrontational homogeneous group of people. Well then, let us be a testament that all the different Asian/Asian American groups on this campus will no longer tolerate any form of neither racism nor racial violence committed against us! We are also not alone in taking this position against hate crimes on our campus. We stand in solidarity with all the ICA Committee organizations (ASO, BSU, CSA, HaSA, IISU, LASU, Hillel/JSU, MSA, RPU, Womyn's Center and Thurgood Marshall) for a safe campus for learning! Asian Student Union to Top
*** The CIW Assault ***3/10/00 Two weekends ago (Weekend of Feb 27) , four Asians were assaulted by three Caucasian Binghamton University (SUNY) wrestling team members. One was severely injured and suffered from a fractured skull. It has been reported that racial slurs were said by the three wrestlers, causing retorts from the Asian students. A fight quickly erupted, and the damage was done. The three wrestlers have all been charged and are facing prison time if found guilty of the felony (which means they will be imprisoned for more than one year). Though this is clearly a race issue, the Binghamton administration and student newspaper (Pipe Dream) have done absolutely nothing and have said nothing in regard to this matter being racial. Not one person representing the university bothered to visit the hospitalized victim, and not one person has condoned the heinous acts of the wrestlers. Now we all know politics and money rule the world. And everyone knows this school is investing an overabundance of funds into the athletic program. An incident such as what happened two weekends ago of course will deter more money from the state government and benefactors. Perhaps this is the reason why this is so "hush hush." Or maybe the administration believes nothing will come out of this since Asian Americans have been known to be "passive" and "quiet" when it comes to matters of justice and politics. But we cannot condone this type of behavior, and we cannot turn the page on this. The attack could have happened to anyone. It is time now to do something about this, and time to make ourselves known that we do not and will not tolerate injustice to our race, or to any human being. Let us not shy away from this and be perceived to be week and tolerant of abuses. JUSTICE must be served! There will be a guest speaker coming to campus this Tuesday (March 14) in the Union (West or South Lounge -- it has yet to be determined) at 7pm. It is an open discussion of this matter. The guest speaker is Sin Yen Ling, an attorney from Manhattan and is representing AALDEF (Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund), which in part deals with issues on hate crimes, primarily hate crimes against Asians. Make yourself be heard. This is something that impacts you and everyone else. DO NOT ALLOW OTHERS TO TREAD ON YOU. Also Please let the administration at Binghamton know that this sort of behavior will not be condoned, by e-mailing them. President Lois DeFleur:ldefleur@binghamton.edu Provost Mary Ann Swain: mswain@binghamton.edu UPDATE Students of the Asian Student Union of SUNY-Binghamton and other concerned student body members will be holding a rally on Wednesday infront of the Library Tower near the fountain. Our voices must be heard! Personal Background on the Korean American student who was assaulted: freshman from NYC, parents work in laundry business, one older brother, all four are naturalized U.S. citizens (some of you asked about this for strategy reasons). The student John was assaulted in a racial incident by three white students 2/27, on campus. He was kicked in the head and beaten. He was sent to the hospital with fractured skull and internal bleeding. Update: The student, John, is recovering. He was worried about grades and classes and early released himself from the hospital. Our concerns are that a fractured skull may result in brain seizures or side effects yet to be seen in the future. He has stated that he wishes to see the assailants brought to justice. He will be talking with AALDEF shortly. We ask that you not try to contact John at this time. Due to legal prcedures, John is not allowed to talk to general public at this time. Next Steps: The Asian Student Union and concerned faculty are demanding expulsion of the three students, among other things. We ask that your support be shown by sending letters and e-mails AFTER our public meeting on next Tuesday 3/14. At that time, we will send out the needed details and info to you. John is grateful for your support. We request that you do not call the brother, but rather, write him a note or e-mail. He is thankful for the concern in his brother's case. Luiz Lee 4230 Summit Manor CT #304 Fairfax, VA 22033 weezy19@onepointcom to Top