Activism

Hundreds Come to Marin Rally to Stop Asian Hate

“We are here to stand against race-hate and crime against Asian Americans, and against official policies that do not recognize Asian Americans as equal members of society.” Asian Americans need to stick together to fight the many biases, violence, and hate that is directed toward them, Phan said.

Published

3 years ago

April 9, 2021

Mia Lane

Left: Jean Chan, Nhan Phan. Right from top: Sage Shih Kushner, Mary Jane Burke, Rev. Floyd Thompkins (Photos by Godfrey Lee)

Several hundred people gathered at the Rally to Stop Anti-Asian Hate to protest against the hatred and violence against Asians. They gathered on March 26 next to the Arizmendi Bakery in the San Rafael Courthouse Plaza.

The Asian American Alliance of Marin (AAAM), along with 17 other community organizations, organized and sponsored the rally.

The demonstrators shared a moment of silence to mourn and honor the eight victims, many of Asian heritage, who were slain at the spa massacres in Atlanta, Ga., on March 16. They are Soon Park, Hyun Jung Grant, Suncha Kim, Yong Yue, Delaina Ashley Yaun, Paul Andre Michels, Xiaojie Tan, and Daoyou Feng.

Jean Chan, the founder of the Asian American Alliance of Marin, said “We stand with all communities for justice because any violence against a fellow human being is an act of violence against all of us.”

Nhan Phan, co-president of AAAM, said that “We are here to stand against race-hate and crime against Asian Americans, and against official policies that do not recognize Asian Americans as equal members of society.” Asian Americans need to stick together to fight the many biases, violence, and hate that is directed toward them, Phan said.

Sage Shih Kushner, a San Marin High School student, said “We need to contact and educate others about the culture of Asian Americans, what they have gone through, and what people have achieved to stop racial hate.”

Kushner is trying to create a community where Bay Area youth can learn what is harmful and hate is not OK. She is reaching out on social media to bring awareness.

Marin County Supervisor of Schools Mary Jane Burke said that Marin schools and teachers will put forward an ethnic studies requirement. Students will be required to take a course in order to graduate from high school.

“It is time that unless we stand up (for) democracy, we will lose it,” said Rev. Floyd Thompkins, the new pastor of St. Andrew Church in Marin City. “Unless we stand up (for) right, wrong will win.”

Thompkins said that Asians have experienced hatred in the past. Wrong things have been said about them, such as the myth of the Chinese being the ‘Model Minority.’ The reality is that the Chinese are just people trying to love and care for one another, like those eight people killed in Atlanta who were worked hard to support their families, Thompkins said.

Everyone has the right to live, be whole, and have liberty. We need to stand up and say ‘no’ when we hear negative mean spirited small ugly, violent things said toward others, he said.

“We need to create community, be politically proactive, and be a voice to the local legislator, or the school board, to stop Anti-Asian hate where it exists,” Thompkins said, “We must also stop the fetishism of Asian American women (who are often stereotyped and sexualized as being subservient, passive, and quiet).”

“This rally is a beginning point because in San Rafael, Marin County, we will not allow and accept hate as a way of life, as a rhetoric, or accept hate against any community, and that includes the Asian American community,” concluded Thompkins.

For more information on the rally, go to aaamarin.org/2021/03/26/official-press-release-rally-to-stop-anti-asian-hate/

Mia Lane

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Oakland Post: Week of May 8 – 14, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of May May 8 – 14, 2024

Published

17 hours ago

May 10, 2024

Oakland Post

To enlarge your view of this issue, use the slider, magnifying glass icon or full page icon in the lower right corner of the browser window.

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S.F. Black Leaders Rally to Protest, Discuss ‘Epidemic’ of Racial Slurs Against Black Students in SF Public School System

Parents at the meeting spoke of their children as no longer feeling safe in school because of bullying and discrimination. Parents also said that reported incidents such as racial slurs and intimidation are not dealt with to their satisfaction and feel ignored.

Published

6 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church. Photo courtesy Third Baptist Church.

By Carla Thomas

San Francisco’s Third Baptist Church hosted a rally and meeting Sunday to discuss hatred toward African American students of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD).

Rev. Amos C. Brown, president of the San Francisco NAACP and pastor of Third Baptist Church, along with leadership from local civil rights groups, the city’s faith-based community and Black community leadership convened at the church.

“There has been an epidemic of racial slurs and mistreatment of Black children in our public schools in the city,” said Brown. “This will not be tolerated.”

According to civil rights advocate Mattie Scott, students from elementary to high school have reported an extraordinary amount of racial slurs directed at them.

“There is a surge of overt racism in the schools, and our children should not be subjected to this,” said Scott. “Students are in school to learn, develop, and grow, not be hated on,” said Scott. “The parents of the children feel they have not received the support necessary to protect their children.”

Attendees were briefed last Friday in a meeting with SFUSD Superintendent Dr. Matt Wayne.

SFUSD states that their policies protect children and they are not at liberty to publicly discuss the issues to protect the children’s privacy.

Some parents said they have removed their students from school while other parents and community leaders called on the removal of the SFUSD superintendent, the firing of certain school principals and the need for more supportive school board members.

Community advocates discussed boycotting the schools and creating Freedom Schools led by Black leaders and educators, reassuring parents that their child’s wellbeing and education are the highest priority and youth are not to be disrupted by racism or policies that don’t support them.

Virginia Marshall, chair of the San Francisco NAACP’s education committee, offered encouragement to the parents and students in attendance while also announcing an upcoming May 14 school board meeting to demand accountability over their mistreatment.

“I’m urging anyone that cares about our students to pack the May 14 school board meeting,” said Marshall.

This resource was supported in whole or in part by funding provided by the State of California, administered by the California State Library via California Black Media as part of the Stop the Hate Program. The program is supported by partnership with California Department of Social Services and the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs as part of the Stop the Hate program. To report a hate incident or hate crime and get support, go to CA vs Hate.

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Oakland Ambassadors Strengthen Ties and Aid Efforts in Ghana

Oakland natives and esteemed members of the African American Sports and Entertainment Group (AASEG), Jonathan P. Jones and Dr. Maritony Efua Jones, recently embarked on a significant journey to Ghana as guests of the World Martial Authority Ghana. This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Published

7 days ago

May 4, 2024

Oakland Post

Elder Jorg Klebingat, Flint Mensah, Richard Burton, H.E. Dr. Maritony Jones, Amb. Jonathan Jones, Elder S. Gifford Nielsen, Elder Alfred Kyungu. Courtesy photo.

By Post Staff

This trip signifies a crucial opportunity to bolster partnerships, explore new avenues of collaboration, and contribute to impactful initiatives in Ghana.

Upon their arrival at Katota Airport in Accra, Ghana, the Joneses were warmly received by His Royal Majesty Okatakyie Asafo Boakye III, the distinguished king of Sanzule Kingdom in the Eastern Nzema, and Etse Nyamedi of World Martial Authority, Ghana.

Nyamedi accompanied the Joneses to the city of Mepe, which had recently experienced flooding, to assess damages and engage with local leaders, elders, and youth regarding the city’s urgent needs after major floods last fall.

Key concerns and priorities identified by the community include comprehensive flood mitigation measures, agricultural support, housing initiatives, educational enhancements, improved healthcare access, and the development of communal recreational spaces.

The Joneses were also graciously invited to meet with leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at their headquarters in Accra. This meeting provided insights into ongoing humanitarian efforts in Ghana and explored avenues for collaboration to further assist Ghanaian communities.

The LDS leaders shared their prompt response to the recent flood, demonstrating their commitment to humanitarian aid by dispatching substantial supplies including medical provisions, sanitation items, blankets, and food to assist flood victims just four days after the disaster.

Additionally, Boakye extended a special invitation to the Joneses to his palace, where they were pleasantly surprised with a heartfelt recognition ceremony. Maritony Jones was honored as the Queen Mother of the Sanzule Kingdom in acknowledgment of her dedicated work, while Jonathan Jones was lauded and welcomed as the ambassador of the Sanzule Kingdom, symbolizing a meaningful homecoming to their ancestral land.

The visit not only strengthens ties between Oakland and Ghana but also underscores the collaborative spirit and commitment to meaningful progress and humanitarian endeavors shared by all involved parties.