After a series of vicious attacks on senior residents in San Francisco’s Chinatown, the Chinatown community came together to support the victims and seek help from city leaders on Tuesday afternoon.
The attacks that sparked the rally occurred Saturday night near Portsmouth Square Park. Three elderly men were injured after an encounter with four attackers, ABC7 reported. A bystander captured video of the four male suspects assailing the three seniors and taking a cell phone before escaping in an SUV.
Police told CBS San Francisco Bay Area that two victims were taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries, while the third was treated and released on the scene.
Chinatown residents believe vulnerable and elderly Chinese Americans are being targeted by those outside the Chinese community.
The Saturday night robbery followed another assault earlier this year on July 15, according to CBS SF Bay Area. Three male suspects had attacked a 56-year-old Chinatown resident, stealing his gold Rolex watch before throwing him to the ground. The victim’s 69-year-old friend had rushed to help, only to be knocked unconscious. Both victims were hospitalized briefly for head injuries.
LATEST STORIES
Dozens of residents and members of the Chinese community gathered at Portsmouth Square, where the attack took place, for the Tuesday rally. Elderly attendees held up signs that read, “Stop Picking on Seniors.” CBS SF Bay Area wrote that Mayor London Breed, Police Chief William Scott and other city representatives showed up to voice their support and announce new policies to protect Chinatown citizens.
“No one should walk in this city and fear that they might get attacked for whatever reason, especially not our seniors,” Breed said. “We are one community in San Francisco and it is time that we do better to take care of our seniors. We owe it to them for what they have done to raise us and take care of us.”
Scott told CBS SF Bay Area that police have already increased officer foot patrols and added extra officers and patrols in the evenings, especially around areas like the Ping Yuen housing projects.
Aside from the increased law enforcement presence, Breed said that she would also plan on listening to the Chinese community to identify further issues, and to provide bilingual sports services, according to ABC7.
“We need to come together as a community, as a city and not let racial divides tear us apart,” Cynthia Choi, co-executive director of the group Chinese for Affirmative Action, told CBS SF Bay Area. “This is not a matter of law enforcement, this a matter of all of us coming together for community-based solutions.”
Chesa Boudin, San Francisco District Attorney-Elect, vowed to expand cultural resources and services for victims as the next district attorney.
“First of all, I have your back,” Boudin said, as a message to Chinatown residents. “I’m here to protect you, I’m standing with you. Chinatown is a critical part of San Francisco’s cultural and economic and civic fiber, and I intend to do everything I can to make sure people in Chinatown are safe.”
AsAmNews has Asian America in its heart. We’re an all-volunteer effort of dedicated staff and interns. Check out our new Instagram account. Go to our Twitter feed and Facebook page for more content. Please consider interning, joining our staff or submitting a story.
