The Chinese community in New York shows their support for former NYPD police officer Peter Liang. (Photo : YouTube)
Members of the ethnic-Chinese communities have gathered in front of the Washington Monument and in 40 cities across the U.S. on Feb. 20 to show support for former NYPD police officer Peter Liang, whose manslaughter conviction was seen by many as unfair, China Daily USA reported.
On Feb. 11, Liang was convicted of second-degree manslaughter and official misconduct by a Brooklyn jury for the fatal shooting of Akai Gurley in a housing project in 2014.
Liang, who is planning to appeal the verdict, is facing 15 years in jail for the manslaughter charge. The sentencing will be announced on April 14, the report said.
Liang's conviction caused a great stir in the Chinese community across the U.S.
Shuigen Xiao, head of the Greater Washington for Peter Liang Coordination Group, a new volunteer organization, described both Gurley and Liang as victims, adding that he hoped the Feb. 20 rallies in Washington and other U.S. cities would result in a fairer treatment for Liang.
"We hope public concern about the case will help ensure a just legal proceeding," Shuigen told a news conference on Wednesday, Feb. 17, in Fairfax, Virginia.
Xiao also believed that public donations will help Liang in the legal processes, while part of the money that will be collected will be handed over to Gurley's family.
Organizers of the rally said that they will observe a moment of silence to express condolences for Gurley. They also plan to reach out to the African-American community and other communities to join the rally.
Alex Zhong, a member of the coordination group, expressed belief that the rallies will have a profound significance for the Asian-American community, especially on the issue of equal treatment.
On the other hand, Wenming Kuai, also a member of the coordination group, said the NYPD and the city's Housing Committee should also be held accountable for the accident. "It's unfair to let Liang take all the blame," he said.
Vincent Wong, a member of the coordination group, said that some in the African-American community support the rally. Wong said he went to a local store to print rally posters, and a black woman staff member printed extra copies for him free of charge.
Organizers said they are not sure how many people will join the rally but they estimated several thousands, perhaps as many as 10,000.
Meanwhile, some from the Chinese community are looking to support Liang's legal defense as New York City lawyer Hugh Mo said he received messages from individuals who want to help.
Mo, a former New York City deputy police commissioner and now a defense attorney, said that a graduate of Tsinghua University now working in the U.S. offered to pay $100,000 to hire him as Liang's lawyer. He said he also received calls from Canada, while a Chinese law school student offered to do background research for him on the case.
"I'm very heartened by the fact that the Chinese community has come out to support and very touched by these people who want to contribute to his legal defense, who want their voice to be heard, and also want to make a difference. I think it's a noble spirit, a noble gesture," Mo said.
Mo, however, said he will not reach out to Liang, as it is unethical for a lawyer to convince a client to take his services.
According to the report, Liang has already hired private attorneys Robert Brown and Rae Koshetz to handle his case instead of the lawyer appointed for him by the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association, the largest police union.
Mo said he expected Liang's lawyers to do a post-judgment motion for a mistrial or reduced charges.
"Peter also has to step up. I know he's traumatized, but he has to speak up," Mo said. He also suggested Liang to publicly apologize to Gurley's family.
"It's a double tragedy. It ruins the lives of two young men," said Mo, adding that he believed the jury did not see the whole picture of Liang's trial.
Mo said that the NYPD also bears some responsibility for putting rookie cops in the most dangerous jobs, and the New York City Housing Authority for the dark staircase. He also pointed out that several officers testified that they did not get proper CPR training.
"Peter went to work that day to protect the lives of the New York City citizens. He never intended to hurt anyone," Mo said.
The report said that some WeChat groups have been set up in the West Coast to coordinate the rallies on Feb. 20 in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
