Martial Arts History Museum to celebrate AAPI with Anti-Asian Hate Device Give-Away
(NewMediaWire) - May 11, 2023 - Burbank, CA – This weekend, the Martial Arts History Museum, the only cultural facility in the city of Burbank, will be hosting a special Asian American Pacific Islanders Day on Saturday, May 13, 2023, from 12 noon to 3 pm. Instead of the usual Asian drum and dance, the museum will be handing out 1,000 free stun devices to the Asian and non-Asian adult community.
Although there have been few reports of Asian Hate crimes, that does not mean the crimes have ceased. They continue to escalate, especially against the elderly. “Just because it’s not being covered by the media, doesn’t mean it has slowed down. It is continuing at an alarming rate and no one seems to care about the Asian community,” says museum president Michael Matsuda.
Last year, the museum not only gave away 1,000 finger-stun devices but provided a mandatory short training course at the same time. The museum will again repeat this same method with a special class taught by Michelle Manu, a high-ranking black belt in the art of Hawaiian Lua and one of the leading advocates for women’s self-defense. Talk show host Jay Menez will help get things going by hosting the event.
The event will be held at the museum from 12 noon to 3 pm. It is on a first-come, first-served basis with just 1,000 devices to be given away.
“We need to do what we to protect ourselves,” says Matsuda. “These are small devices that we hope, provide an opportunity to be a deterrent. We are not promoting attacking someone, we are providing a non-lethal way of protecting your life against an assault.”
Throughout the nation, May marks the Asian American Pacific Islanders month as cities partake in celebrating the positive impact of the Asian American community. “The museum is about Asian art, history, and culture, so we celebrate the Asian community every day we are open. But we have to face reality. Families are being attacked, people are unsafe walking the streets and attacks against Asians is a big part of that,” adds Matsuda.
Nancy Hiyata, a representative from the WWII Camp Wall, states, “This is a sad state that we are in. Asians have been attacked throughout time, and it’s been hidden under the blanket, and it’s not right. Handing out stun devices is wonderful, and it needs to be promoted.”
“I hope no one ever has to use it. But if you are alone in a dark alley or someone is coming to attack you, I think having a device will hopefully prevent you from harm,” concludes Matsuda. “This is not violence vs. violence, it’s about having something that may save your life.”
The event will be on a first-come, first-served basis with just 1,000 devices to be given away. It will be hosted at the Martial Arts History Museum which is located at 2319 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank, CA 91506. For more info, contact the museum at (818) 355-1109.
