Group rallies in Fort Lee to demand justice for Asian American woman fatally shot by police
Community leaders and activists gathered outside the Fort Lee Community Center. They say that they want justice for the Lee family and also protection for their community when someone calls for help.
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A rally was held Thursday afternoon to demand justice for Victoria Lee – an Asian American woman who police fatally shot in Fort Lee last month during a mental health crisis.
Community leaders and activists gathered outside the Fort Lee Community Center. They say that they want justice for the Lee family and also protection for their community when someone calls for help during a mental health emergency.
The rally consisted of representatives from AAPI – an Asian American advocacy group, the People’s Organization for Progress and Black Lives Matter. The demonstrators pointed out that Asian Americans are among the minority groups who are less likely to reach out for mental health assistance.
But the group also says that this is bigger than race. They say it all comes down to holding police officers accountable for their actions.
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“I think we need to talk about why police have to come to your door when all you need is the hospital when all you need are mental health professionals,” says Amber Reed, co-executive director of AAPI New Jersey.
The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General says that Lee was fatally shot in an apartment on July 28. The office says her brother called the police that day to report that she was having a mental health crisis and had a small knife.
Officials say that after several attempts to have the door opened for them, officers forced their way inside. They say that Lee approached the officers, and a single shot was fired, hitting Lee. A knife was recovered at the scene.
Members of the rally also demanded a more thorough investigation into what happened.
