NYC landlord case demonstrates unequal justice under DA Alvin Bragg

With the words, “Everyone stands equal before the law,” echoing from Manhattan’s Democratic District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s national press conference in 2023 where he indicted former President Donald Trump, one would expect Manhattan to be as safe as cities like Singapore, Tokyo, or Zurich.

But don’t burst into laughter all at once.

After all, Bragg is the same district attorney who made headlines on his first day by issuing his controversial “Day One Memo” stating that certain crimes, such as armed robbery, would be treated differently.

This brings us to the case of Brian Chin, recently charged by Bragg with felony assault.

Chin, the landlord of Christina Yuna Lee who was tragically murdered in her Chinatown apartment in 2022 by a violent assailant with a history of crimes, including robbery, found himself on the wrong side of the law due to Bragg’s policies.

Since Lee’s murder, Chin’s neighborhood has been plagued by crime due to lenient policies at all levels, prompting him to become an unpaid activist in an attempt to maintain safety in his community.

Chin now faces charges for allegedly defending himself against a violent individual armed with a dangerous weapon.

This situation is reminiscent of previous cases, such as that of Jose Alba, the bodega worker charged for self-defense, and the Ong brothers who faced charges for protecting themselves against a group of attackers.

While Bragg proclaims equality under the law, the reality is far from that for individuals like Alba, the Ong brothers, and Brian Chin who find themselves treading on thin ice of justice.

As the safety of Chin’s neighborhood deteriorates, the failure of Democratic policies to ensure the basic safety of citizens becomes apparent.

Under Bragg’s selective prosecution, the notion of everyone standing equal before the law is exposed as a facade, serving political agendas over justice.

Moreover, Bragg’s establishment of a task force solely focused on anti-Asian hate crimes while ignoring broader safety concerns highlights the disconnect between political rhetoric and practical solutions.

It is imperative to have district attorneys who prioritize genuine equality under the law, upholding honesty, integrity, and impartiality to ensure the safety of all citizens.

Wai Wah Chin is the founding president of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance Greater New York and an adjunct fellow of the Manhattan Institute.