May 6, 2021
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Chong Hu Lu, owner of Max Trading in Northeast D.C. was punched yesterday in the face by an upset customer. According to News4‘s Amiee Cho, the customer became irate about the store’s policy of not removing jewelry from the case and then yelled “F**k you Chinese people, I hate you.”
Lu’s daughter uploaded the aftermath on her Instagram page. These are her words.
“Ugh I don’t have more photos or footage other than this one that I captured when my Mom FaceTimed me after the incident – but my Dad was ASSAULTED today in his own store in Washington D.C.!!!
A couple came into the store and asked if they can open up a jewelry item. My Dad replied with the standard, no we don’t allow opening items in the store, and the husband just started throwing punches.
There was no argument, no hesitation. Just went straight into assaulting my Dad and while yelling “F**king Chinese” at him. The assault was quick, as the wife tried to pull her husband off and told him to RUN. They did get away in a car, but not before neighboring store owners came out to help capture their license plate. My Mom immediately called the police and when they arrived on the scene she called me, and I took this screenshot on a FaceTime call.
I know many of you have already seen this on my story, but I’m making it a post to ask if you can share and raise awareness that this is still the reality the APPI community lives in on a DAILY basis. The news can feel so distant, because hate crimes exist but they don’t happen to me or people I know.. right? Unfortunately my family is now part of that rising statistic, so please help me spread this so we can be more aware, cautious and ready.”
D.C. police are investigating this incident as a possible hate crime.
Lu’s wife, Cong Cong Hu told News4, “I just don’t understand. I couldn’t sleep the whole night last night,” she said. “Why do they treat us like this? We didn’t do nothing wrong.”
Feature Images via Amiee Cho