Condemnation of Asian-American Hate Crimes from Southern California Overseas Chinese/Elected Officials
The Los Angeles Chinese Consolidation Benevolent Association (CCBA) held an online conference on the 3/27 on "Condemning the Discrimination against Asian Americans and Hate Crimes". The traditional Overseas Chinese associations in Southern California, Taiwan, Hanwha, Vietnam Cambodia, Vietnam Chinese and the San Gabriel Valley Chinese American elected officials jointly targeted at hate crimes and discrimination against Asians, vowed to increase their vigilance, incident reporting, legislation promoting, law enforcement strengthening, and education equality in order to drive the hatred and discrimination out of the Asian community.
Nearly 100 people attended the video conference that morning. In addition to Overseas Chinese representatives, US Congresswoman Judy Chu, California State District 49 Assembly Member Ed Chau, Los Angeles Fifth District Supervisor Kathryn Barger, Los Angeles First District Supervisor Chair Hilda Solis, Los Angeles Police Department Deputy Chief Blake Chow, Alhambra Mayor Sasha Renee Perez, Diamond Bar Mayor Pro-Tem Ruth Low and Council member Andrew Chou expressed their support for the Asian community through the pre-recorded videos. San Gabriel Mayor Chin-Ho Liao and Vice Mayor Tony Ding, and Walnut City Council member Dr. Allen Wu voiced their support during the video conference.
Mei Lau said that CCBA has been established for 130 years, with the purpose of defending the equal rights for the Chinese expatriates while everyone live and work in peace. CCBA will not tolerate such discrimination and hate attacks on Chinese. The 27 overseas Chinese Associations have always maintained close contact with elected officials. With the current hate crime attack, the elected officials were asked to discuss means of protection for the safety of Chinese and prevent further larger scale of hate attacks. CCBA pays close attention to the development of the situation and defends the rights and interests of Asians. She also appealed on Chinese people to be mindful on their safety outdoors while the current hate crime situation is still unclear.
Officials such as Judy Chu, Ed Chau, Kathryn Barger, expressed strong condemnation of Asian hate crimes and discrimination through videos. Judy Chu called on the society to pay attention to hate crimes that attack Asian communities. She said that it is gratifying that all parts of the country are gradually taking action, and more people are joining the procession of anti-Asian hate crimes, including the promotion of the hate crime prevention bill “No Hate” in the Congress.
Ed Chau said that the hate crimes and discrimination against Asians and Chinese are just like Sino phobia before plus the extension of the Japanese concentration camps after World War II. Today, Asians still have to worry about their own safety. There is no reason for this phenomenon to continue. He hoped to promote the anti-hate crime bill in the California Assembly, including increasing research funding for Asian hate crimes, helping mentally ill patients, and so on.
Kathryn Barger said that people have been under the pressure of the pandemic for the entire year, and now they are facing hate crimes, which is even worse for the Asian community. This definitely should not be happening in this country. She called on everyone to unite in confronting hate crimes, and let the light of love and kindness dispel the darkness of hatred. Hilda Solis expressed that she will stand with the Asian community and encouraged reporting to the police should anyone encountered any hate crimes and attacks.
Elected officials from Chinese-inhabited cities including San Gabriel, Rosemead, Alhambra, Diamond Bar, and Walnut participated in the condemnation. Chin-Ho Liao said that the recent continuous attacks on Asian elders are heartbreaking. Presently, the city of San Gabriel has formed a civilian joint defense team of more than 200 people to patrol the city, and may possibly extend the assistance to the neighboring areas in the future. Tony Ding said that the city of San Gabriel has now united with the neighboring police stations for immediate reporting, and the citizens are also stepping up their watch and helping each other. Anti-hate crime is a long-term campaign, and is hoping to truly achieve equality for everyone in the American community.
Walnut City Council member Dr. Allen Wu said that although his city is quiet and safe, he still has to stand up for the Chinese and Asians, hoping that all acts of discrimination and hatred against Asians and Chinese will truly become history.
Overseas Community Affairs Council Republic of China Executive Secretary Michael Cheung stated that there were more than 3,800 hate crime cases against Asians in the past year. He believed there are still many unreported cases. The pandemic should not be an excuse for hate crimes. Chinese people must unite to fight for justice and rights.
Joint Chinese University Alumni Association of Southern California President Steve Kuo said that Asians and Chinese are not American travelers. The ancestors of Chinese have lived here more than a century ago. Today's Chinese are also the masters of this country. He also reminded the Chinese community to pay special attention to the SB 82 in which thefts and robberies under $950 without carrying weapons and causing serious harm are considered as misdemeanors. Once this SB is passed, Asians will be the biggest victim, therefore we should strongly oppose.