Man accused of 'hate-motivated' violence against Asians in Markham
Anti-Asian hate crimes have reportedly surged since late 2019 when coronavirus surfaced in Wuhan, China
Author of the article:Chris Doucette
Publishing date:Mar 24, 2021 • 3 hours ago • 2 minute read • 27 Comments
Ethan Yang, 11, holds a sign reading "racism is the disease" during a "Kids vs. Racism" rally against anti-Asian hate crimes at Hing Hay Park in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle, Washington, U.S. on March 20, 2021.
Ethan Yang, 11, holds a sign reading "racism is the disease" during a "Kids vs. Racism" rally against anti-Asian hate crimes at Hing Hay Park in the Chinatown-International District of Seattle, Washington, U.S. on March 20, 2021. PHOTO BY LINDSEY WASSON /REUTERS
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A 33-year-old man faces charges for a string of “hate-motivated” incidents of violence in Markham that targeted Asians in recent months.
York Regional Police say they received a report of an assault in the area of Pillar Rock Cr. — a residential neighbourhood near Woodbine Ave. and Major Mackenzie Dr. E. — around 2 p.m. on March 16.
“The victim had been outside walking when a suspect ran up behind her and hit her in the back with an object,” Const. Laura Nicolle said Wednesday.
She said investigators subsequently located additional victims of five other incidents that they believe were committed by the same man since January.
“All of the victims are Asian and investigators believe that the incidents were hate-motivated,” Nicolle said.
Investigators identified a suspect and arrested him on Monday.
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Arjun Choudhari, 33, of Markham, is charged with one count of assault with a weapon, three counts of assault and two counts of criminal harassment.
Aware hate-motivated crimes often go unreported, police are reassuring the public that any such report is taken seriously and investigated.
And they encouraged members of the public to report any incident they believe may be “motivated by hate, racism or discrimination.”
“We do not tolerate hate crime in any form,” Nicolle said. “Those who victimize individuals based on race, national or ethnic origin, language, colour, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or mental or physical disability will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Anti-Asian hate crimes have reportedly surged since late 2019 when coronavirus surfaced in Wuhan and quickly spread beyond China ‘s borders to become a global pandemic.
The issue has made headlines over the last week after a white gunman opened fire on March 16 at several massage parlours in Atlanta killing eight people — six of whom were Asian.
Police in Atlanta were quick to point out the accused gunman Robert Aaron Long, 21, allegedly claimed he targeted the massage parlours because he blamed them for his sex addiction, not because of ill will toward Asians.
But the shooting spree sparked outrage, and demonstrations, around the world and has since raised awareness of a troubling issue.
cdoucette@postmedia.com
On Twitter: @SunDoucette
A 33-year-old man faces charges for a string of "hate-motivated" incidents of violence in Markham that targeted Asians in recent months.
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