Is nothing sacred?
After the grisly murder of 35-year-old Christina Yuna Lee shook up the Chinatown community, many locals created a makeshift memorial with flowers, candles, and signs. But on Wednesday, the love displayed by Lee’s neighbors was tarnished.
Since Lee’s murder on Feb. 13 at her Chrystie Street apartment, residents have left all kinds of mementos and tokens of love and support. Yet somebody decided on Feb. 16 to destroy the vigil, smashing candles, ripping up signs of support and scattering flowers outside the crime scene.
Executive Director of the Chinatown BID/Partnership Wellington Chen was among those who attempted to salvage the shrine by replacing the flowers and taping the signs back to the tree. Chen immediately jumped into action, rushing from storefront to storefront in an attempt to purchase a roll of tape. He worried that if local children saw the desecration, it would send the wrong message.
“I was thinking about the kids. A lot of school kids were walking by and what a profoundly sad example to see during tragic times like these,” Chen told amNewYork Metro.
Chen, a leader in the community, admitted that this defilement is yet another sad instance that will set the state of the community and anti-Asian hate back even further.
“It is a tremendous setback. It is hard enough that tourists are not coming, people are afraid to walk on the street, now to think that even when you are dead somebody will not leave you alone,” Chen said.
The vandal was not caught on camera. Chen said the BID is requesting more cameras to be placed in the area.
Chen also offered thanks to the 5th Precinct for their support and is seeking police auxiliary units to be deployed to aid with community safety fears.
