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Meng Announces Daughter Of Anti-Asian Hate Crime Victim From Queens Will Be Her Virtual Guest At President Biden’s State Of The Union Address

March 1, 2022

Congresswoman brings Maggie Cheng whose mother was violently shoved to the ground outside a Flushing bakery in an anti-Asian hate crime. The Congresswoman and Ms. Cheng hope to bring attention to the lived reality of anti-Asian hate and violence.

WASHINGTON D.C. – This evening, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens), Vice Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, announced that Maggie Cheng, whose mother suffered a violent hate crime attack last year in Flushing, Queens, will be the Congresswoman's virtual guest tonight for President Biden's State of the Union address.

Last year, Cheng was outspoken on social media and in the Queens community following the attack on her mother. The daughter's advocacy aided police in tracking down the assailant, Patrick Mateo, by posting pictures and videos of the attack on social media. Mateo was indicted by a Queens County grand jury on a hate crime, aggravated harassment in the second degree, assault in the third degree and harassment in the second degree.

Cheng's advocacy also prompted her brother's friend, actress Olivia Munn, to post on social media in support of Cheng's mother, helping to bring the issue of the attacks and violence towards Asian Americans to the national spotlight.

"No person deserves to live in fear of physical attacks, but sadly, fear is the state of the union for many in the Asian American community. Asian Americans continue to be victims of senseless violence, as we are scapegoated for the spread of COVID-19. Despite the ongoing attacks, I have witnessed immense solidarity and support from communities across our nation. For Maggie Cheng and her family, this sense of community – which came through social media – was essential in bringing her mother's attacker to justice. I am grateful to the Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and the officers at the 109th Precinct for their dedication in ensuring justice is served," said Congresswoman Meng. "There is no doubt that there is still more work to be done to combat anti-Asian hate and bigotry. I applaud President Biden for helping move these issues forward by signing my COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act into law, and I look forward to partnering with the President to further combat anti-Asian hate."

"I am honored to join Congresswoman Meng as her virtual guest for this year's State of the Union address. As violent attacks against Asian Americans continue, we must stand united against hate crimes. They have no place in our country," said Maggie Cheng. "My mother was attacked because she is Asian, and thanks to the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act that Rep. Meng wrote, the perpetrator will be held accountable for his crime. I am grateful to both President Biden and Congresswoman Meng for their continued support in protecting Asian Americans across the country and combating anti-Asian hate."

See attached photo of Meng and Cheng speaking virtually this evening.

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