We Demand Justice for Chinese Adoptee Christian Hall

On December 30, 2020, 19-year-old Chinese American adoptee Christian Hall was shot and killed by Pennsylvania state police. Despite initial attempts by police to cover up the truth, recently released video footage shows that Christian had his hands in the air when police opened fire, shooting him seven times.

This most recent shooting is yet another instance in this nation’s long history of criminalizing immigrants and people of color. Christian was experiencing a mental health crisis. Rather than making sure he got the help he desperately needed, police officers took his life.

HANA Center’s Deputy Director of Programs Taneka Hye Wol Jennings, a Korean adoptee, stated, “So many, like Christian, are struggling with mental health crises during this time. It is unconscionable that those sworn to serve and protect continue to murder instead. What our communities need is culturally appropriate mental health care, not more policing that perpetuates trauma and injustice.”

“Police violence is a tool of white supremacy,” said HANA Center’s Community Organizer Glo Choi. “The police and prison systems that oppress Black people have the same white supremacist foundation as the ICE agents who detain and deport immigrants and adoptees. We must fight against white supremacy in all its forms.”

With the alarming rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans since the beginning of the pandemic, some in our communities are calling for an increase in policing. Increased policing is not the answer. Instead we must advance community-based solutions that address the root causes of racism and systemic inequality, so all of our communities can thrive.

Join us in calling for an independent investigation into Christian’s murder, and to demand justice for Christian and his family. Click here to sign the petition.