Chinese-American Supporters Disappointed in Outcome at Court-Martial Trial

Activists and supporters from Chinatown in New York City traveled down to Fort Bragg in a 12-passenger van to attend the trial and raise awareness of discrimination that still exist in their Asian-American culture.

Following the trial, Elizabeth OuYang, president of the New York chapter of the Organization for Chinese Americans (OCA), said that at a minimum, Holcomb should be discharged from the Army.

"If the U.S Army expects Asian Americans to fight for our country, they must send a strong signal that Asian American soldiers will be protected from superiors who engage in racist conduct," OuYang said.

New York City Council member Margaret Chin, represents lower Manhattan, and the lower east side, which includes Chinatown, criticized the verdict on Monday.

"This decision is an affront to the Chen family and to servicemen and women across our country," Chin said in a statement to the Huffington Post. "Never before has the pervasiveness of hazing and bullying in our armed forces been so exposed. Sgt. Holcomb physically and verbally abused Private Chen. His campaign of abhorrent and racist behavior was unrelenting, and it caused Private Chen's death. By failing to uphold the most serious charges in this case, the military has effectively condoned Sgt. Holcomb's conduct," she said.

Two college students without a summer course load heard about the trip and decided to come down to support the cause.

Sabrina Hua a sophomore on the board at Hamilton college for the American Chinese student club, is studying Chinese and is also an Engish major. She plans to raise a new sense of awareness by presenting an information session once she gets back to NYC. Along with other students, she has already made an impact in the community by raising funds to defray the cost of travel and lodging for the Chen family throughout the trial.

"It's good that we bring to light that this kind of behavior is not okay," said Hua. "I was born here in America and I'm just as much American as others, but some people never see that."

"You want to have a stronger Army in the future," said another supporter, Wellington Chen, before the trial began last week. "The message has to be clear; what is acceptable behavior? That has to start from the top."

Wellington serves as the Executive Director for the Chinatown Partnership, Local Development Corporation and is not related to the family of Pvt. Danny Chen.