Candlelight vigil for Pvt. Danny Chen

Join OCA-NY for the two-year commemoration of Danny Chen's death



On October 3, 2011, 19-year-old Pvt. Danny Chen was found dead with a bullet to his head after enduring weeks of hazing and racial harassment from his supervisors. In the wake of his tragic death, community advocates fought for justice and to ensure that Pvt. Chen's legacy would never be forgotten.

If you're in New York City this week, join OCA-NY for a candlelight vigil commemorating the 2-year anniversary of Pvt. Chen's death. It's happening Thursday, October 3, 6:30-7:30pm, on Elizabeth St. between Canal and Bayard in Chinatown. Danny was a native of New York's Chinatown, and the location marks the upcoming street co-naming, "Danny Chen's Way," in his honor.

Attend the community meeting for "Danny Chen Way," June 25

Last week, I wrote about OCA-NY's efforts to drum up public support for the co-naming of a New York Chinatown street, "Danny Chen Way," in memory of the Chinese American soldier who was found dead after enduring weeks of hazing abuse while serving in Afghanistan.

On June 11, the Transportation Committee of Community Board 3 unanimously voted for the new name: 'Danny Chen Way' Street Renaming Wins Support from Community Board.

But there's more work to be done. The street co-naming still needs to be approved during Community Board 3's full board meeting next week. After that, it will go to the City Council for a vote.

If you can make it out, OCA-NY is asking supporters to attend the public meeting on Tuesday, June 25 at 6:30pm at PS 20, 166 Essex Street. For further information, email Ivy Pan at vypan94@gmail.com.

Support the effort to co-name a Chinatown street "Danny Chen Way"

For those of you in New York City, community members are leading an effort to co-name a Chinatown street after Private Danny Chen. OCA-NY invites supporters to attend a meeting of the city's Transportation Committee on Tuesday, June 11, where they'll present a petition in support of "Danny Chen Way."

Private Danny Chen was a Chinese American soldier who grew up in Manhattan's Chinatown. At at 19, he was found dead while serving in Afghanistan, after enduring six weeks of hazing and racial abuse. The case drew international and national attention to the problem of hazing in the military, and the street re-naming is an effort to immortalize Danny's legacy.

If you're available, please join OCA-NY at the Transportation Committee's meeting this week. It's happening Tuesday, June 11, 6:30pm at Confucious Plaza Community Room. Here are some more details:

Next steps in seeking justice for Private Danny Chen

Are you still wondering you can do in the fight for justice for Private Danny Chen? After the courts-martial of all eight soldiers connected to his hazing and tragic death, four were ultimately discharged from the Army. And earlier this month, President Obama signed several anti-hazing provisions into law.

But this is not over. There's still unfinished business. If you're in New York, OCA-NY, which has been spearheading this campaign from the very beginning, is holding a planning meeting next week to discuss where the community goes from here in seeking justice for Danny Chen. The fight does not stop.

Next steps include an organizing campaign to co-name Elizabeth Street where Danny grew up in Manhattan's Chinatown, "Danny Chen's Way," and a petition to the Commander in Fort Wainwright, Alaska to request that the four remaining soldiers be administratively discharged from the Army.

It's happening Monday, February 4th, 7:00pm, at 20 Cooper Sq, NYU, 4th Fl, Rm 471. To attend, be sure to RSVP to Mackenzie Yang at myy2105@gmail.com.