Violence Against Asians

South Philly's has large and growing Asian (largely, but not just, people of Vietnamese origin and descent) and Hispanic populations, creating a very mixed-race community. Sadly, racially motivated violence against Asians is commonplace in the schools.

Tian, 19, of South Philly, and five other students who are recent immigrants are staying home today because they were among 26 Asian students who were attacked by a gang of other students throughout the day yesterday, said Xu Lin, of the Chinatown Development Corporation, who works with victimized students.

District officials said that 10 students have been suspended. No arrests were reported, but students who were outside the school yesterday said they had seen students being led out of the building in handcuffs.