NEW YORK—The usually politically quiet constituency of Chinese-Americans is embarking on a nationwide mobilization in 40 cities this weekend, in protest of what they say is the unjust conviction of New York Police Department officer Peter Liang, who accidentally discharged his firearm and killed Brooklyn resident Akai Gurley in 2014.
The rallies, scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, aim to demonstrate the solidarity of the Chinese-American community, support Liang’s family, and lodge a protest against his conviction.
“The theme of the rallies is about Chinese-Americans making their voices heard about the unjust verdict against Peter Liang,” said Andy Wang, one of the organizers of the protest in San Francisco. “What happened was a tragedy, but it was not a crime.”
Peter Liang, a 28-year-old rookie officer, and his partner Shaun Laudau, were patrolling the Pink Houses, a Brooklyn housing development at 2724 Linden Blvd., on Nov. 20, 2014, when Liang accidentally pulled the trigger on his gun in a dimly lit stairwell.
The bullet ricocheted off a concrete wall and fatally struck Akai Gurley in the chest, according to police.
