Aki Maehara, 71. a professor in the History Department at East Los Angeles College, is struggling to recover from injuries suffered in an apparent Montebello hate crime attack while the perpetrators remain at large.
A Go Fund Me page (www.gofundme.com/f/Victim-of-Hate-Attack-Aki-Maehara-Needs-Our-Help) established by Maehara’s friend Glorya Cabrera includes Maehara’s statement:
“On Tuesday, April 29, 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 driveway to avoid being hit.
“I heard someone yell, ‘F’g Chink!’ as I got hit, then I heard, ‘Go back to Chinkland.’ 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 supremacist groups and had received threats from an individual in these hate groups. The Montebello Police Department is currently investigating and seeking evidence as an ‘attempted vehicular homicide.’”
Cabrera wrote, “The most pressing milestone is to get a professional home health aide into Aki’s home. Aki was released from the V.A. Hospital three days after this vicious crime. He is unable to: prepare meals, bathe himself, clean his bloodstained 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 Racism 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 premeditated 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 is unable to take care of himself. We need to get help into this situation ASAP as he is unable to bathe 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.
“For those living in the Montebello, Los Angeles area, if you know of reliable, reputable home health aide agencies, please send me this information so we can get valuable assistance to Aki as soon as possible.
“Aki Maehara and his family were part of the Japanese Americans who were rounded up and sent to live in concentration/relocation camps during WWII. Despite this, he went on to serve in the U.S. military and is a Vietnam veteran.”
As of May 15, more than $48,000 has been raised toward the goal of $50,000.
In a text to The Rafu Shimpo on May 11, Maehara gave an update: “The lower back pain I am experiencing is severe and causes nausea. I also still experience neck and chest pain, my left arm is healing, bruises and scrapes everywhere. I still have bouts with dizziness from the concussion.
“The preliminary report is that MPD was not able to locate home video of the attack that could ID the car or the attacker. They are filing it as hate crime vehicular assault with intent to commit murder.
“It’s very difficult for me to do anything right now.”
To learn more about hate crimes and how to prevent them, click here.