Police are investigating the appearance of racist flyers on lampposts in the neighborhoods of Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights in Brooklyn last week.
The flyers--specifically targeting those of Chinese descent--were immediately torn down by neighbors who responded with their own signs promoting inclusivity.
The NYPD Hate Crimes Task Force and the 68th Precinct are now investigating who printed and posted the flyers, which read "Chinese Are Destorying [sic] Bay Ridge." The flyers falsely claimed that Chinese locals were driving away white homeowners, blamed Chinese residents for spreading COVID-19, and described Chinese-owned restaurants as "dirty."
Fern Kwok, a resident of South Slope, was walking from a friend's house in Bay Ridge on Wednesday morning when she noticed the flyer taped around a lamppost near the Bay Ridge Avenue subway station.
"This was horrible. It was disgusting," said Kwok of the flyer. "I only been in the US for just under two years because I got married to an American, and I'll be honest I haven't felt welcomed here."
Kwok, a native of Singapore, also noticed another racist flyer on Third and Bay Ridge Avenues, just outside a local pharmacy in the neighborhood. The language "struck a chord" for Kwok, who views Bay Ridge as a diverse community. Asians make up 15 percent of the population of Bay Ridge, according to the 2014-2018 American Community Survey.
"To see that in Bay Ridge, it was just a shock to the system," said Kwok.
Asians have been the target of racist attacks since the pandemic broke.
Councilmember Justin Brannan, who represents the district, said he's hoping the public can pinpoint the sites where the flyers were spotted so police can canvass for camera footage.
"I am disgusted, disappointed and angry this is happening in our community. In this time of great crisis, and anxiety, we must stand together, and we can do that by showing kindness and empathy to each other through our words and actions," said Brannan. "I was thankful to have so many people sending me photos of them tearing the signs down. Hate has no place in our community and it will not be tolerated."
Brannan shared photos on Twitter of other flyers promoting diversity in the neighborhood. The posters read in all capital letters, "Bay Ridge does not welcome racists" and declares, "We honor all of our community members & love each other. There is no place for hate in the community!"
