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Trigger warning: gun violence, racism

On Sunday, January 22nd, a man fired at least a dozen rounds from a .40 caliber Glock handgun into the front windows of Tokyo Foods. Tokyo Foods was deliberately targeted by the shooter, telling police he was the “President of Tokyo” and that Tokyo Foods was “not in compliance.” Thankfully, the store was closed and the owners, Mr. & Mrs. Matsuda were unharmed. However, their business was destroyed, and patrons and staff at neighboring Uncle Yips who witnessed the incident were traumatized. The perpetrator was arrested on site and is in custody for multiple felonious charges. 

Additionally last year, the Matsudas were burglarized during a local wave of home burglaries specifically targeting Asian/AsianAmerican/Pacific Islander (AAPI) business owners while they were at their stores or restaurants. The Matsudas lost many valuables and personal possessions.

Our hearts ache for the Matsuda family. On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we ask for your help. 

  1.     Support Tokyo Foods. A GoFundMe has been set up for Tokyo Foods. All donations will go directly to the Matsudas to rebuild their business. 
  2.     Stand with AAPI’s. Incidents of violence, abuse, profiling, and discrimination targeting AAPI communities since COVID-19 was discovered are alarmingly high. Such hate crimes cannot be tolerated. Join us in condemning all race-based attacks and harassment. 

Tokyo Foods and the Matsuda family cannot be made whole again. The trauma of such attacks will inevitably leave scars. We also know the burden of such ignorance and hate cannot be shouldered by only those who are subjected to it. We ask Cincinnati to stand united to show its support of Tokyo Foods and send a message that we do not tolerate hate. 

Here signed by:

Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati (@jasgc_official) 

Japanese American Citizens League — Cincinnati Chapter 

OPAWL – Building AAPI Feminist Leadership (@teamOPAWL) 

Afrikans in Diaspora Radio 

Apoyo Latino

Asian American Coalition Ohio

Asian American Cultural Association of Cincinnati – AACAC (@Asianati_Official)

Asian Community Alliance (@ACA_Cincy)

Asian, Asian-American Faculty and Staff Association – AAA-FSA

Bend the Arc: Jewish Action Cincinnati

Cincinnati Compass

Cincinnati Mennonite Fellowship 

Clifton United Methodist Church (@cliftonumcohio)

Delta Phi Lambda Sorority Inc. (@ucdphil)

Design Impact

Faith Choice Ohio (@faithchoiceohio)

Immigration Justice Circle of the Sisters of Charity of Cincinnati

Inclusive Fairborn (@inclusivefairborn)

Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center

MD4ME, Inc.

Mt. Auburn Presbyterian Church

Ohio Immigrant Alliance (@ohioimmigrantalliance)

Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio (@ppaohio)

Robert O’Neal Multicultural Art Center

The Immigrant & Refugee Justice (IRJ) Task Force of the WNY Peace Center

The Woman’s City Club of Greater Cincinnati

Undergraduate Student Government, University of Cincinnati (@ucstudentgov)

United Chinese Business Partners

Urban Consulate @urbanconsulate

Urban League of Greater Southwestern Ohio (@ulgso)

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