Date: Thu, 15 May 1997 15:26:44 -0700

From: AALDEF <[email protected]>

Subject: AALDEF REPRESENTS AA STUDENTS ATTACKED AT DENNY’S

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 14, 1997

CONTACT: Elizabeth R. OuYang Staff Attorney
Tel. (212) 966-5932

7 ASIAN AMERICAN AND WHITE SYRACUSE UNIVERSITY STUDENTS ATTACKED AT DENNY’S RESTAURANT AFTER THEY WERE DENIED SERVICE

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF) is representing a Filipino American male student, a Chinese American female, a Japanese American female, 3 international Japanese students, and a Caucasian male regarding an incident that occurred at Denny’s restaurant on Erie Boulevard, Syracuse, New York on April 11, 1997.

Six Asian/American students and their white companion were attacked in the parking lot of Denny’s restaurant after being denied service. Inside the restaurant, the students waited several minutes without being attended to. Finally, they placed their names on the waiting list themselves. Some of them observed groups of white males who arrived afterwards being seated immediately. The students also observed tables which they could have been seated at, but were not. After the students complained about the unfair treatment, they were told to leave and were escorted out the door by two of Denny’s hired security guards.

Outside, one of the security guards began to push one of the students. Suddenly, a large group of white males exited Denny’s and attacked one of the male international students. As the others in the Asian American party attempted to come to his aid, they were also attacked. Two of the Asian Americans were beaten unconscious. Despite repeated pleas by several bystanders urging the security guards to intervene, the security guards stood and watched. Finally two African American bystanders intervened causing the beating to end. The security guards are deputy sheriffs with the Onondaga Sheriff’s Department.

"The students were denied the right to the full and equal enjoyment of Denny’s services, including the protection of Denny’s hired security guards," stated Elizabeth R. OuYang, staff attorney at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund.

"I couldn’t eat where I wanted to. I was beaten by whoever wanted to beat me. I am not welcomed here," stated Yuya Hasegawa, the international Japanese student who was attacked first.

"I was never made to feel so helpless and so different in my entire life," stated Derrick Lizardo, a Filipino American student who was attacked and beaten unconscious when he tried to come to Yuya’s aid.

"I came to the realization that the people who I grew up believing would be there to help us were turning their backs on us..." stated Yoshika Kusada, a Japanese American female in reference to the security guards. Yoshika intervened and was knocked unconscious. ". . .then to be thrown down by a man and kicked like some dog in the head; I’ve never felt so scared and degraded."

"I now question my own identify as a white male who became a victim of racial violence," stated Sean Dugan, the white male companion who attempted to come to Yuya’s aid. "The fear that ran through my body as so many fists pounded hatred into me is indescribable. It angers me that anyone should be forced to face such pain and fear."

AALDEF accompanied the students to the District Attorney’s office to make a complaint against the individuals who attacked them in Denny’s parking lot.

Interested persons should contact the District Attorney’s office urging that they arrest all the individuals who attacked members of the Asian American party and prosecute them to the fullest extent under the law.

William J. Fitzpatrick, District Attorney
421 Montgomery Street, 12^th Floor
Syracuse, New York 13202
Telephone: (315) 435-2470

The allegations against Denny’s Restaurant are currently being investigated by an independent civil rights monitor selected by the Department of Justice. Interested persons should write or contact the individuals below to request a thorough and expeditious investigation into this matter.

Janet Reno

U.S. Attorney General
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

cc: Isabelle Katz Pinzler
Acting Assistant Attorney General
U.S. Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division
Telephone: (202) 514-6715

Sharon Leibeck Hartman
Office of the Civil Rights Monitor
P.O. Box 36806
Los Angeles, California 90036-0806
Telephone: (213) 965-5610

Organization of Chinese Americans
1001 Connecticut Avenue, N.W. Suite #707
Washington, D.C. 20036

Tel:(202)223-5500
Fax:(202)296-0540
Voice Mail:(202)223-5523
E-Mail: [email protected]
World Wide Web: http://www2.ari.net/oca