Brazen attack seriously injures Filipino photojournalist and his wife

Arriola while confined at the UC Davis Medical Center for injuries after he and his wife were attacked in Sacramento, California. CONTRIBUTED 

OAKLAND, California – A Filipino photojournalist based in Southern California and his wife were seriously injured in a brazen robbery attempt in Sacramento in what may also constitute a hate crime.

Nicanor “Nikki” Arriola, president of the Asian American Press Club of the U.S.,  and his wife, Julienne, were attacked while strolling along the State Capitol last month, having taken pictures the day before they were about to go back to Carson after visiting relatives in Sacramento.

They were suddenly assaulted in front of other people, who reportedly did nothing to help but  may have even taken videos while the attacker shoved and kicked the couple multiple times, dragging Arriola as the suspect tried to get the latter’s camera.

Arriola, who was wearing his press badge, suffered six broken ribs and abrasions while his wife is still hurting from knee and other bone injuries. Both were confined for a few days at the University of California Davis Medical Center.

“I thank God I had no injury on my head that would have caused concussions, except for a big bruise on my nose,” Arriola stated. He found it “strange” that the suspect left the camera at the scene in his hurry to a getaway car after finally wrestling it from Arriola.

“We were almost run over by the getaway car,” which backed hurriedly towards them to help the suspect escape.”

“That guy is full of hate. There were also others taking pictures of themselves, but it seems we were the only Asians he chose to hurt. It was so horrible I thought that was the end of us at that time,” Arriola recalled.

“For now, I’m staying home and most of the time watching news about (anti-) Asian Hate Crimes all over the US. I am praying for all those victims especially those who died.”

Arriola wearing his badge, in a photo taken before the attack. CONTRIBUTED 

Arriola and wife are still in much pain from the injuries they sustained and may take some time before they get fully healed emotionally and psychologically.

“We are also thankful that we were not shot or stabbed by our assailant. I was really not going to let him get my camera, my source of living,” Arriola was somewhat relieved.

“I want to thank the Sacramento Police in apprehending the attacker and I was told that the driver of the getaway vehicle would be next.”

Arriola still keeps seeing images of what happened to them and couldn’t stop talking about the horrible scenarios, which could be therapeutic for him.

Before this incident, Arriola has covered a number of Asian hate crime incidents, including the ongoing trial of Nicholas Weber at the Van Nuys Superior Court. Weber is accused of a hate crime after attacking members of the Roque family at a McDonald’s drive-through on Victory Blvd. in North Hollywood.

Arriola rued that “a lot of people hate us even though we are contributing a lot in this country. It really pains me to realize this.” He maintains though that fighting anti-Asian hate remains his advocacy.

The Asian American Press Club of the U.S. also issued a stamen condemning the incident that reads in part:

“We, the (members of the) Asian American Press Club of the U.S. condemn the wrong that had been done to one of our own AAPCUS family member, our president Nicanor “Nikki” Arriola and his wife. The initial premise is that the perpetrator was after his camera equipment. As we all know, Nikki’s camera represents his profession, personhood and his livelihood. He did what any human being would have done. He protected his prized possession with his life. We solidly stand behind Nikki Arriola and will do all we can to give him the justice he deserves.”