GoFundMe for elderly Filipina attacked in NYC has raised over $242,000 or P11 million
A campaign on US fund-raising site GoFundMe has raised over $240,000 for Vilma Kari, the 65-year Filipino-American who was attacked in broad daylight on the streets of New York City.
In the viral CCTV footage, Vilma was seen getting stomped on while being hurled with racist insults. Bystanders caught on camera didn’t stop the incident and even closed the door on Vilma. The gruesome hate crime is just one of the onslaughts of rising AAPI (Asian American/Pacific Islander) attacks plaguing the U.S.
The attacker has been identified as 38-year old Brandon Elliot. He’s since been arrested and charged with two counts of assault, among other previous charges on violence.
Meanwhile, the GoFundMe page set up by Vilma’s daughter, Elizabeth, has amassed over $242,711 (around P11 million) from over 5,900 people. Proceeds will go to Vilma’s treatment, along with donations to AAPI support groups and other Asian assault victims.
In a statement on the site, Elizabeth wrote: “It goes without saying that this issue is very personal to me—especially as these attacks are still currently happening… This does not take back the pain and trauma my mom has experienced nor will it replace the time to heal as she gets back on her two feet.”
“Apart from using the fund towards recovery for Vilma, my mother would like to support other victims and organizations to further raise awareness to our fellow AAPI community (so that we can continue to a path that educate everyone around us and put an end to these attacks).”
Elizabeth ended the statement with the hashtags #VilmaBelongsHere, #AAPIBelongsHere, and #StopAsianHate. Those outside GoFundMe’s supporting countries can’t donate through the site just yet.