26 Jan CBSNews: Self-defense classes teach older Asian Americans how to fight back as hate crimes increase
They’ve been taunted and had close calls, but a group of Asian American seniors had never formally learned how to physically defend themselves.
After someone told his father to go back to China, Sammy Yuen, who has been trained in martial arts, started teaching self-defense classes at University Settlement Center. He said his father’s experience disturbed him.
“I wish I was there,” he told CBS News. “And so I just felt like I had to … help the people that I can here in New York.”
The classes are funded by the Alicia and Jason Lee Foundation in partnership with University Settlement. Jason Lee is CEO of Dailypay, a NYC-based fintech startup.