A group of New Yorkers wary of an increase in anti-Asian hate crimes on Sunday learned about blocks and beatings that could repel a racist attacker and other self-defense strategies, including keeping a safe distance from someone acting erratically.

“Go! Go! Go! Keep them away!” Shouted Nissin Levy, a martial arts sensei from Tiger Schulmann, while teaching 35 students in an NYPD-sponsored self-defense class in Brooklyn. , elbow, knee, knee! “

“When I say go for it, that should be a trigger in your head that says, ‘This person is coming to attack me, the open areas are right there, I have to perform my techniques,'” Levy told the Bay Ridge students. , Brooklyn martial arts workshop. “I want you to imagine this person walking towards you.”

NYPD Inspector Tommy Ng, the commander of the Asian Hate Crime Force assigned to the Queens Patrol, hosted the workshop. He has organized a similar event in Bayside, Queens and is planning other events in Brooklyn and Manhattan.

As of May 9, the city had experienced 81 anti-Asian hate crimes, up from 17 in the same period of 2020.

“When you see someone acting erratically or out of the ordinary, screaming, screaming, then you have to keep a safe distance,” Ng said. “Be aware of your surroundings – especially those who are not paying attention, looking at your phone while walking down the street – this is also part of the crime prevention tips I want to spread to protect you. “

Students were given bright yellow whistles to use if they felt they were in trouble.

Qilei Cai, 22, a senior at New York University who is new to martial arts, said he felt more prepared for trouble after taking the course.

“In less than an hour, they taught us some basic skills that could come in handy should a situation arise,” he said. “I hope these skills will never come in handy, because God forbid, anything should ever happen to me. But if something does happen, I feel like I can use the skills that have been taught to me today. “

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Another student, Helen Li, 50, said she plans to put what she learned into practice at home. “And then when I go out, I don’t have to be afraid of what’s going on,” she said.

Of the 23 people arrested for assaulting and harassing Asians since January, at least 11 have a history of mental illness.

Officer Carlos Anton, 36, an 11-year-old NYPD veteran, said he had trained and taught at the martial arts studio for the past decade.

“We don’t teach anyone to fight and attack,” he said. “You don’t go out looking for a fight but rather to know how to defend yourself.”