Markham mayor ‘disturbed and disgusted’ by series of assaults targeting East Asian people in city

Police link suspect to 6 assault incidents that have occurred since January

Yorkregion.com
March 25, 2021

Mayor Frank Scarpitti says anti-Asian hate has no place in Markham after an area resident was arrested in relation to a series of attacks on East Asian people that police are treating as hate-motivated crimes.

"I am deeply disturbed and disgusted by the recent criminal acts by an individual against members of our Asian community and I strongly condemn all forms of racism towards any cultural group," Scarpitti said in a prepared statement March 24 on the heels of the arrest of a suspect.

York Regional Police are treating the attacks as hate-motivated crimes.

The most recent occurred March 16 in the Pillar Rock Crescent area of Markham, where a woman was walking around 2 p.m. when police allege a suspect ran up behind her and struck her in the back with an object.

During the investigation, officers linked five other incidents that occurred against men and women between January and March to the same suspect.

Arjun Choudhari, 33, is charged with three counts of assault, assault with a weapon and two counts of criminal harassment.

Scarpitti said one person’s actions do not reflect the "DNA" of the community, where the area’s diversity is worn "as a badge of honour" and residents "celebrate our rich cultural mosaic".

Scarpitti said he witnessed many acts of kindness and solidarity in the community during the past year in an effort to support one another during these challenging times.

He added people who have made the city their home and who have lived here for generations have welcomed people from all over the world, resulting in enriched experiences every day in the city’s schools, community centres, public spaces and community celebrations -- including the largest outdoor Asian festival in Canada, Taste of Asia, and one of the largest Chinese diasporas in Canada.

"Very early on in the pandemic, I, along with members of our community of different cultural backgrounds, personally visited a restaurant in Markham that experienced harassment solely because of its name," he said.

"All of us stand in support of our Asian community when they face hate and discrimination," Scarpitti added.