According to the NYPD commissioner, there has been a rise in hate crimes in the city. Some in Sunnyside are choosing to empower themselves through self-defense in classes offered by Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer's office and the Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment. NY1's Van Tieu filed the following report.

It's a self-defense class that's teaching participants not just to look out for themselves but their neighbors as well.

NYPD Commissioner James O'Neill revealed in November that hate crimes in the city are up 31 percent since the election compared to the same period last year.

"It's crazy to know that there are Muslim women being attacked simply because of their culture and their religion," said Mel Escudero, a Sunnyside resident who has never taken a self-defense class before.

She, along with another hundred Sunnyside residents, are learning how they can help if they see hate crimes happening.

"To know that any of these people might be on the train with us at some point, and if something were to happen, we are all getting a little bit of that experience is very reassuring," said Matt Hostetlar.

Wednesday night's training at the Sunnyside Community Center was organized by the office of City Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer.

One class was focused on self-defense, while the other focused on up-standing, which teaches people how to intervene and deescalate situations instead of just being a bystander.

"They're going to leave here feeling stronger and more powerful, and that's what I want of all my constituents in the face of this election," Van Bramer said. "I don't want them to feel weak. I want them to feel powerful."

Rana Abdelhamid, a black-belt in karate and founder of the Women's Initiative for Self-Empowerment, led the class. She said she was a victim of a hate crime when she was 15, when someone tried to snatch off her hijab.

"It obviously made me feel vulnerable and insecure, so I want everyone to feel like they can protect themselves if someone were to happen," Abdelhamid said.

She said seeing the diverse faces in attendance makes her proud to be from Queens.

"I think to see all of these faces here, I feel supported, I feel like my community in Queens isn't taking this lightly, and taking security of marginalized people lightly," Abdelhamid said.

She's hoping others will be empowered to fight back against prejudice.