“A lot of Asian immigrant parents were just too busy to pay attention to politics, but the recent events have provided us an opportunity and incentive to form a mechanism to organize and mobilize.”
On the afternoon of the Chesa Boudin recall election, Wai-fong Lam, 64, ambled down the steps of Portsmouth Square to drop off ballots for her family at the nearest box in front of City College's Chinatown campus. This was only the second time she had ever voted. The first time was when she voted to recall three school board members earlier in February.
Lam and her now deceased husband arrived in San Francisco’s Chinatown almost 40 years ago from the Southern region of China and raised a family. Now living alone, she fears going out after dark and refuses to take public transit on her own ever since a group of youngsters threw plastic bottles at her on MUNI earlier last year. When her son urged her to move out of her apartment near Chinatown due to safety concerns, she argued with him, even though she knew he meant well.
In response, the February school board recall election saw an increased turnout across the city by the Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders community . Chinese Americans turned out 10.5 percentage pointshigher than the city average, based on statistics collected by the Chinese American Voters Education Committee.
“I didn’t even know I would have this effect,” said Lam, referring to how many more Asian parents got involved following his example. “Someone simply needed to be the first to act on what too many of us are thinking.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Chesa Boudin is out in San Francisco, but his agenda is alive in CaliforniaThe progressive district attorney's recall defeat was counterbalanced by victories around the state.
Read more »
What the San Francisco DA Recall Really Tells UsChesa Boudin's recall is hardly a national referendum on crime. But there are some lessons to be learned from his loss.
Read more »
Juneteenth celebrations across the San Francisco Bay AreaMayor London Breed kicked off the Juneteenth holiday season Friday with an announcement and flag-raising ceremony at City Hall. Here's a listing of celebrations across the Bay Area.
Read more »
DA Chesa Boudin sees 'victory' in San Francisco recall defeat
Read more »
San Francisco Pride Parade and Celebration | Watch live June 26 on ABC7San Francisco's Pride Parade and Celebration is back and if you can't attend in person, ABC7 has you covered! Check back to watch live on Sunday, June 26.k back to watch live on Sunday, June 26.
Read more »
How San Francisco's D.A. recall election shows a rift in the Asian American communityChesa Boudin’s ouster is part of a string of high profile local elections that spoke to the burgeoning political power — and shifting allegiances — of the country’s fastest growing racial group.
Read more »