Meng Joins Family of Queens Resident GuiYing Ma for the Announcement of Her Death

March 1, 2022
Press Release

Victim was attacked last November while sweeping the sidewalk next to her home; Congresswoman calls for continued efforts to fight violence against Asian American community

QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) joined the family of Queens resident GuiYing Ma for the announcement of her death after she was attacked last November while sweeping the sidewalk next to her home.
Meng joined her husband, Zhanxin Gao, and the family's pro bono attorneys at the law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP at their office in Manhattan.
Ma, 62, died on February 22 as a result of "complications of blunt impact injury of head."She was struck in the head with a rock on November 26 while she was sweeping and had been at Elmhurst Hospital since the assault took place. The suspect was arrested and indicted for the crime.
Meng also called for combatting the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence.
"I am devastated over the passing of GuiYing Ma and my heart aches for her family," said Meng. "I will continue to be here for her husband and loved ones at this very difficult time. So many in the Asian American community continue to live in fear due to ongoing attacks against Asian Americans. We must continue doing all we can to combat this heinous violence."
Meng had worked to assist Ma and her family while she was hospitalized. In November, she and several of Ma's supporters gathered in front of Elmhurst Hospital for a silent stand-in for Ma.