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BURBANK (CNS) - A celebrity fitness trainer will partner with the Martial Arts History Museum in Burbank Thursday to provide more than 1,000 "finger stun" devices to Asian adults to raise awareness of the rise in hate crimes targeting the Asian community, while providing a means of self-defense.
During a three-hour event, Eric Fleishman -- known as Eric the Trainer -- will provide the devices to people who take part in a short training course on their safe use.
"As a proud Angeleno happily married to an Asian woman, I stand firmly against any acts of hate against my fellow citizens, especially the beautiful Asian community," he said in a statement in advance of the event. "I will not allow those types of senseless acts occur on my watch. Instead, let's stand for peace and love in our great city."
Among those expected to join Eric the Trainer at the event -- during Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month -- are fitness trainer Billy Blanks, actor Michael Jai White, musician Pete Wentz and kickboxers Benny Urquidez and Don "The Dragon" Wilson. Burbank Mayor Jess Talamantes is also scheduled to attend the event at the Martial Arts History Museum.
"I think this is a step in the right direction in our effort to combat Asian hate," museum founder Michael Matsuda said in a statement. "We are not only providing a method in which the Asian community can protect themselves, but we are also trying to bring awareness to this growing escalation of Asian attacks. I wish we had more than 1,000 to give out."