New York immigrant remains in a coma after vicious attack

Yao Pan Ma remains hospitalized in a coma after he was brutally attacked.

A 61-year old immigrant from China is fighting for his lie after being beaten last Friday in New York City.

Yao Pan Ma lost his restaurant job because of the coronavirus pandemic. He was collecting cans to support his family when he was attacked and beaten unconscious. He has been in a coma and on a ventilator since the attack, his wife Baozhen Chen told reporters. 

Ma was pushing a shopping cart full of cans when the attacker struck him. Surveillance video released by the New York City Police Department shows the attacker stomping on Ma's head several times before

After video of the suspect was released, police learned the man's identity and the shelter where he lived a few streets away from the attack in East Harlem. The NYPD arrested Jarrod Powell, 49, Monday and charged with two counts of felony assault and a hate crime.

The brutal attack on Ma is just the latest incident of a surge of hate crimes directed at Asian Americans, who are being blamed for the pandemic by racists and xenophobes.

The NYPD has received 66 reports of anti-Asian Hate Crimes as of last weekend. Last year at this time, there were only 12 reports. The actual number is probably underreported. 

“He picks up bottles to help pay the rent and the bills," Chen told media. "He is innocent. He did not do anything wrong. He is a very kind person. He is quiet. He doesn’t cause trouble.”

A GoFundMe page has been set up to help support the family and help defer medical expenses. 

"As New Yorkers, we shouldn't tolerate it," said New York Assemblyman Ron Kim at the press conference. "We come here to say, stop targeting, scapegoating and killing Asian Americans."

Chen said the attacks agains Asians is a huge concern and makes her feel afraid, especially after what happened to her husband.

‘I’m more cautious, I’m scared that someone would jump out and attack me like what they did to my husband, Chen said.

‘I’m scared and paranoid, I don’t feel safe."