Manhattan’s Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg famously stated at a 2023 national press conference, “Everyone stands equal before the law,” as he pressed charges against former President Donald Trump.
With a DA like that, Manhattan must be as safe as Singapore, Tokyo, or Zurich, right?
Don’t all laugh at once.
Bragg, known for his controversial “Day One Memo,” which implied differential treatment for certain crimes, including armed robbery, is now charging Brian Chin with felony assault.
Chin, the landlord of Christina Yuna Lee who was tragically killed in her Chinatown apartment by a violent vagrant, has been actively involved in trying to keep his neighborhood safe amidst the deteriorating conditions caused by lenient crime policies.
Chin now faces legal trouble for allegedly defending himself against a violent vagrant with a wooden club, similar to other cases where individuals were charged for self-defense actions.
Despite Bragg’s claims of equality under the law, there have been instances where charges were downgraded or dismissed, leading to concerns about selective prosecution and prioritization of political agendas over public safety.
For a district attorney who claims to prioritize safety in Chinese-American communities, the focus on “hate” crimes seems misplaced when basic physical safety is at risk.
It is crucial to have district attorneys who uphold the principle of equality before the law with honesty, integrity, and impartiality to ensure the safety of all citizens.
Wai Wah Chin is the founding president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York and an adjunct fellow of the Manhattan Institute.
