Fil-Am photojournalist Nikki Arriola shares experience of surviving anti-Asian attack

Photojournalist Nicanor Arriola has been on the front lines of the rise in anti-Asian attacks in California, but the Filipino-American never imagined being a victim himself. That’s exactly what occurred when he was attacked outside of the state’s Capitol building in Sacramento in a brazen broad daylight attack this past February that left him and his wife hospitalized.

Arriola sat down with Jannelle So for this week’s #SoBold feature to shed light on how the couple are coping with the physical and emotional wounds of the attack, and why they felt it was racially motivated. He also provides an update on the case, and gives insight into how the police are handling the attack, and what obstacles he has faced in the fight for justice.

Reliving the traumatic events of an assault can be difficult for a victim, but Arriola shared his experiences to help prevent others from having to go through what he went through on that afternoon in Sacramento. While reporters always endeavor to avoid becoming part of the story, Arriola didn’t have a choice, and he’s determined to find a positive in it.

#StopTheHate
#StopAsianHate

This episode is aired on So Jannelle TV as seen on the following channels:

• Sunday, 4:30pm – 5:00pm PT (7:30pm ET) on TFC
• Monday, 6:00pm PT on KNET Channel 25.1 (Southern CA)
• Saturday, 7:30pm – 8:00pm PT (10:30pm ET) on ANC

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