Aid Aki Maehara's Recovery from Hate Attack

I am fundraising for my dear friend Professor Aki Maehara, who is a victim of a hate crime that happened on Tuesday, April 29, 2025. He was on his electric bicycle when a driver, screaming a racial slur, drove into him in an attempt to unalive 71 year old elder, Japanese American Professor Aki Maehara. The driver fled the scene of this horrific attack.

Prof. Aki Maehara is finally able to provide a description of this vicious hate crime: What Happened? On Tuesday, April 29th, 2025 - while biking back to my house, I saw headlights behind me. I turned to check and saw a car coming right at me. I turned toward the curb to find a drive way to avoid being hit. I heard someone yell, "F'g Chink! as I got hit, then I heard, "Go back to Chink-land." As I laid on the ground, he drove away. I sustained a concussion. Cheek bone fracture, neck injury. Swelling and bruising from my face to my upper chest. Bruised ribs, hips, thigh and ankle. Elbow was torn open. I was in the Veterans Hospital for one day. I had tensions from a former housemate who had ties to white supermacists groups & had received threats from an individual in these hate groups. The Montebello Police Department is currently investigating and seeking evidence as an, "attempted vehicular homocide."

The most pressing milestone is to get a professional home health aide into Aki's home. Aki was released from the V.A. Hospital 3 days after this vicious crime. He is unable to: prepare meals, bath himself, clean his blood stained bed sheets, or change his bandages.

Already the V.A. has failed to pick up Professor Maehara for bandage change appointments. Aki is rightfully concerned about the possibility of infection.

This fundraiser helps to ensure that we can hire a Home Health Aide, while waiting for help from Adult Protective Services/Hate Crime. The HHA will help with: his bandages, food preparation, monitor his medication, and wash laundry to ensure his injuries stay clean. More importantly, at this time of intense crisis and deliberate hate crime, Aki needs our emotional, spiritual, and financial support.

Hate crimes are on the rise due to the vile rhetoric being used by those in Washington and in the so-called MAGA Extreme Christian Right who feel justified in their violence directed towards non-white citizens. Aki teaches the History of Race Beliefs and Racisms in Colonial and U.S. History. He has also taught Asian American Studies, Chicano Studies, African American Studies and Native American Studies. He believes this attempt on his life could be pre-meditated given the subjects that he specializes in educating young minds.

At a time when self professed KKKer Shiloh Hendrix is raising millions off of her hateful toxic racist rant on a 5 year old autistic black child - it is a uphill challenge to raise needed funds for Aki Maehara who was targeted for a Hate Crime intended to unalive him.

It is horrific that a man behind a steering wheel felt justified in his attempt to unalive Aki. We are fortunate that his goal wasn't achieved. However, Aki is seriously injured and requires home health care now! This 71 year old Vietnam Vet/College Professor was left with a hairline fracture, a serious concussion, bruises to his face/head and a long strip of skin that was torn off his arm.

At this time, he does not have the resources to pay for a home health aide and was unable to take care of himself. We need to get help into this situation ASAP as he is unable to bath himself, prepare meals or change his bandages.

As a Vietnam vet, a college professor, and a revered, respected elder in the Los Angeles community, Prof. Aki needs our support right now. I am helping him submit an application to Crime Victims. However, we need to get Aki help with daily life activities, which requires raising funds in order to help him get through his difficult recovery.

Be generous and give what you can. Prof. Aki Maehara needs us to come through for him at this seriously critical period when he was almost murdered.

Aki Maehara's family were Japanese Americans who were rounded up and sent to live on concentration/relocation camps during WWII. He spoke to me about the deep shame experienced by his immediate and extended family that left deep intergenerational trauma. Despite this, he went on to serve in the U.S. Military and is a Vietnam Veteran.

I will be posting updates.

Blessings,

Glorya Ochun Cabrera, M.P.A.