Family of Christina Yuna Lee, woman killed in New York Chinatown stabbing, launch fundraiser
- Christina Yuna Lee was stabbed more than 40 times in her Chinatown flat by a stranger on February 13
- Campaign raises US$100,000 in the first 24 hours; causes include SafeWalks and Womankind
“Christina’s death has shaken us to our core,” the GoFundMe page created by her family reads. “Nothing will give her back to us. But with your help, we can make the 35 years she spent on Earth mean something for generations to come.”
Organised by sister Angela Yujin Lee, the campaign has already raised more than US$100,000 in 24 hours for five organisations that were close to 35-year-old Lee’s heart: the Prospect Park Alliance, Womankind, Planned Parenthood, the Elizabeth Street Garden and SafeWalks.
Asian-American lawmakers worry anti-China rhetoric is spurring new violence
To commemorate Lee’s love for Prospect Park, the family wants to plant a tree and install a memorial bench in her honour. By supporting SafeWalks, which matches New Yorkers with people to walk them home if they feel vulnerable, the family hopes to help the initiative expand into other neighbourhoods and improve its response times.
Thousands of dollars have already been earmarked for each organisation on the list. Because the fundraiser surpassed its US$100,000 goal, Lee’s family plans to establish the Christina Yuna Lee Memorial Fund to “provide additional support to these organisations and others that were important to Christina”.
Assamad Nash allegedly stalked and stabbed Lee to death as horrified neighbours called police after hearing her screams. A criminal complaint recounted how Nash forced his way into her sixth-floor flat, where police found the slain designer naked from the waist up inside the bathroom and Nash hiding under her bed.
A yellow-handled knife was recovered at the scene and the complaint alleged that Nash earlier feigned a woman’s voice from inside the flat, insisting there was no need for the police.
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Lee’s name has since been used as a rallying cry for cracking down on bail reform and violence against Asian-American women. But those closest to her remained quiet until now.
“Her death is part of an alarming pattern of unchecked, hateful violence against women, namely women of Asian descent and women of colour that can no longer stand without consequence,” her sister wrote on GoFundMe.
“Christina was full of life. She radiated positivity, joy, and love. She supported her friends in everything that they did. She went above and beyond to make those she loved know she was there for them – never expecting anything in return. Her loss is an unfathomable tragedy that her loved ones and her community will struggle with for years to come.”
