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PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Daphne Thammasila, Associate Director of Programs at Asian American Federation
4:34:26
·
125 sec
Daphne Thammasila from the Asian American Federation testifies about the critical role of their organization in keeping Asian New Yorkers safe through the Partners Against the Hate Forward (PATH) initiative. She highlights the success of their programs and urges the council to restore full funding for PATH, which has been cut for FY '26.
- The organization has trained over 2,500 community members in safety techniques and provided protective services to nearly 1,000 individuals.
- PATH funding was cut by $30,000 per anchor for FY '26, which could jeopardize vital safety programs.
- Thammasila emphasizes the need for long-term investment in public safety, especially given the ongoing challenges faced by the Asian American community.
Daphne Thammasila
4:34:26
Thank you chair Brandon and chair Salaam and to the committees for holding this hearing and giving us the opportunity to testify.
4:34:32
My name is Daphne Tomasilana.
4:34:33
I'm the associate director of programs at the Asian American Federation where we represent the collective voice of more than 70 member nonprofits serving 1,500,000 Asian New Yorkers.
4:34:43
Since 2021, our organization has played a critical role in keeping Asian New Yorkers safe as an anchor organization of the partners against the hate forward initiative, also known as the PATH program.
4:34:53
I'm testifying today with a few of the other path anchor organizations and one of our sub anchors.
4:34:57
In 2025, public safety for Asian New Yorkers is under threat like never before.
4:35:02
Escalating anti immigrant policies, ICE encroachment on local authority, and ongoing anti Asian hate have created deep fear, especially in immigrant communities.
4:35:11
As an anchor organization, we provide culturally competent, language accessible programming and services that address hate violence in conjunction with our sub anchors.
4:35:20
Current services are running well as they have been for the past four years and making changes now while New Yorkers feel heightened fear and anxiety about public safety would get in the way of past success.
4:35:31
Since the start of the program, we've trained over 2,500 community members in safety techniques, provided over 990 community members with protective presence and accompaniment services, and we've recruited over 400 volunteers to provide safety services in Asian majority neighborhoods.
4:35:46
Despite its success, our path funding was cut by $30,000 per anchor for FY '26.
4:35:51
We respectfully urge the council to restore full funding for path to the anchors and increase public safety investment to meet community needs and increase funding for anti violence and immigrant safety programming like our hope against hate campaign.
4:36:04
At a time of continued hate violence and rising fear, this reduction in funding jeopardizes vital programs and safety services, risk cutting off access to healing and support for some of the city's most vulnerable residents, and contradicts the city and the council's stated commitments to safety, equity, and wellness for all New Yorkers.
4:36:21
We've spent many years building infrastructure to provide this safety programming, and the challenges faced by our community to demand long term investment in public safety.
4:36:29
Thank you for your support and the opportunity to testify.