Incendiary Device Found at the Nebraska Chinese Association
By Justin Diep, Junior NOISE contributor
Responding to a 911 call on Thursday February 25th, Omaha Police Officers found the remnants of what looked to be a Molotov cocktail on the stairs of the Nebraska Chinese Association building.
While this could be another incident of anti Asian hate, crimes of which are rising nationwide, it has not yet been declared one. Investigators so far cannot confirm if it was a hate crime as the intent of the violence is still unclear. According to a police report, fire crews arrived at the building and found a broken bottle with the smell of gasoline on the stairs.
The NCA is a non-profit organization that keeps Chinese culture alive by teaching Chinese youth in Omaha the language and cultural traditions. Although due to the pandemic they have moved most of their offerings online.
Tribe Church, which resides in the NCA’s building communicated with a NOISE reporter over email the week after the incident.
“Tribe Church wishes to communicate a message of appreciation for our friends at the Nebraska Chinese Association.” Tribe Church pastor Ken Jensen said via email. “They have been a wonder to work with and we count it an honor to be able to use their building and call them friends.”
The Anti-Defamation League has not declared this incident a hate crime at this time.
According to the regional director of The Anti-Defamation League Gary Nachman, the missing link right now is motive, or evidence pointing in a clear direction towards who is responsible. This is an ongoing investigation, in the hands of the Omaha Fire Department. No matter what comes of the investigation, Nachman says the big lesson is that we must look out for one another.
“We can’t afford to be bystanders,” Nachman said. “We need to watch out for our neighbors.”
Click For more information on the rise of anti Asian hate, particularly after the start of the pandemic.
This is a developing story, that brings up more questions than answers at this time. NOISE will continue to monitor the story as more information becomes available.