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Tri-Valley residents and officials alike are publicly condemning rising occurrences of anti-Asian violence seen throughout the country, issuing statements and holding rallies in support of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
In an effort to stop Asian hate, a small protest was held in downtown Pleasanton on Monday evening, which will be followed by a second, larger rally in Livermore this weekend — events organized by local residents Heather Bolig Richey and Kellie Essary.
The next protest against AAPI violence and hate is scheduled to be held Sunday, from 1-1:30 p.m. at Stockmen’s Park, 29 S. Livermore Ave., in downtown Livermore.
In addition to individual residents, officials throughout the Tri-Valley have come out in condemnation of the rise in violence against AAPI residents recorded across the Bay Area and United States, which last week resulted in the killing of eight people — six of whom were Asian women — at spas around Atlanta.
Elected representatives of AAPI heritage joined together to issue a statement “to express our concerns regarding the growing attacks against the AAPI community over the past 12 months.”
“We condemn the escalating harassment and violence against Asians, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders, including the most recent March 16, 2021 killing of eight people in Atlanta, six of whom were Asian American women,” the 14 local leaders wrote, adding:
“Mocking racist references to COVID-19 have inflamed anti-AAPI sentiments. The reporting center Stop AAPI Hate has chronicled more than 3,800 hate incidents against Asian Americans since the start of the pandemic a year ago. We must take action to stem this violence against our community members.
“We stand in solidarity with our AAPI community and allies engaged in anti-racist action. We express our deepest sympathy to the families of the most recent victims and our support to the AAPI community in the Tri-Valley. We are with you, and we are here for you. We call upon everyone in our community to take a stand against hate and bigotry.”
The public letter was signed by council members Dave Fong (Danville), Sherry Hu (Dublin), Shawn Kumagai (Dublin), Sridhar Verose (San Ramon) and Sabina Zafar (San Ramon); school board members Catherine Kuo (Dublin), Susanna Wong Ordway (San Ramon Valley) and Kristie Wang (Livermore Valley); community college board members Hal Gin (Chabot-Las Positas), Andy Li (Contra Costa) and Ed Maduli (Chabot-Las Positas); and special district board members Arun Goel (DSRSD), Michelle Lee (SRVFPD) and Olivia Sanwong (Zone 7).
The city of Pleasanton has been among the other public agencies to release statements in recent days showing support for Asian American residents and denouncing acts of hate and violence against them.
“The city of Pleasanton condemns any acts of violence against the Asian American Pacific Islander community, and opposes all forms of racism and discrimination now and at all times. We are a city that continues to strive for equity, inclusion, and diversity throughout our community,” city officials said in a statement.
Pleasanton itself hasn’t recorded any hate crimes over the past year, according to Pleasanton police Sgt. Marty Billdt, who said that “fortunately, we haven’t had anything specific that has been reported as a hate crime or had the elements to support one.”
If you have to place a ‘color’ ( or anything else) in front of ‘lives matter,’ perhaps your the racist. Just a thought.
This is why we left CA and Pleasanton! Our white, blonde, blue eyed boy was being BULLIED because he was a GATE kiddo and HIS race!!!!! Why do we need to single out races at ALL? We are all humans!!!!
We literally moved as far from CA as we could!! So grateful and blessed we did!!!!!!!!!
Question – if you hate California and specifically Pleasanton so much, why are you writing on and still following The Pleasanton Weekly page? I’m sorry your son had a bullying problem, that is never okay. Hate is not always about race – no one ever said it was, but we all need to stand United against it.
Why aren’t you protesting where the hate is in San Fransisco !?
There were already events in SF and Oakland. In the Tri-Valley, a co-worker of mine received racist derogatory remarks, while minding her own business shopping with her toddler at Costco. My other friend received a comment, “go back to where you came from,” at a Tri-Valley Safeway, so I think it’s good to have such events in the Tri-Valley.
Hi, it’s me! The girl in the picture! (Far right, with the dyed hair.) Gotta say, I’m a little disheartened by these comments. First of all, reverse racism isn’t real, so jot that down lol!! I’m sorry your son was bullied, you know what didn’t happen to him? He wasn’t killed for simply existing due to a centuries long fetishization and systemic dehumanization of his race, so y’know, maybe have a bit of perspective. Yes, we’re all human, but all lives can’t matter until Black, Asian, Latinx, and Native lives matter. Period.
I’m biracial Chinese American and I am using my voice to stand against this egregious mass murder, and in solidarity with the millions of Asian Americans who are hurting and living in fear. San Francisco has plenty of rallies, but change starts small, and there is clearly plenty of work to be done right here in Pleasanton.
“He wasn’t killed for simply existing due to a centuries long fetishization and systemic dehumanization of his race, so y’know, maybe have a bit of perspective.”
Time for you to do the same. Sorry, but not everyone goes around killing people just because of their race. The mass murderer was responsible for his actions. What is your explanation for Black on Black crime?
@MichaelB,
“Sorry, but not everyone goes around killing people just because of their race. ”
She obviously isn’t saying that, so that is a strawman argument. She is standing up for the people who are targeted because of their race, specifically minorities in this country.
Ashley,
We agree, reverse racism isn’t real; racism is racism regardless of what race the actions are being targeted against. Creating an alternate racism, reverse racism, to your point, creates the ability to differentiate one bad act from another and apply a different sensitivity or “wrongness” to one vs the other. This shouldn’t be allowed. Racism is wrong, we all agree.
I do think its important to also highlight when a particular group is experiencing a higher level of violence/bigotry/etc vs a “standard” period. I just hate that these protests think that people have to elevate their specific race/cause/etc as though the general public doesn’t agree that the negative action is wrong, or their aren’t existing laws to apply. There are. So, yes, the focus on an increased level of violence is important, but lets not call for more race specific regulation on top of existing. Lets enforce the existing equitably.
“She obviously isn’t saying that, so that is a strawman argument. She is standing up for the people who are targeted because of their race, specifically minorities in this country.”
No, it is not a “straw man” argument.
The reason for the Atlanta massacre was not because of “existing due to a centuries long fetishization and systemic dehumanization of race”. This is not showing any “perspective” at all (that she argued others needed to have). The overwhelming number of people in our nation do not condone this behavior against members of any race – and do not practice violence.
Yes, all lives matter. The issue is that certain groups of people have been forgotten/mistreated, due to their race/gender/religion, etc. During the past year, it’s been black lives due to the violent death of G. Floyd; and AAPI due to the killing and maiming of Asian Americans (primarily elders and women). Social awareness is important to everyone.
During the 1970s, Ethic Studies were introduced in SF State so that students would be well-informed of the history of other cultures.