By Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent
A Filipino American man celebrating his wife’s birthday when a man screamed racial epithets at his family remains positive and told AsAmNews “the world is filled with good people.”
Raymond Orosa of Northridge, CA says he comes to the Monterey Peninsula each year around the Fourth of July.
His table which included his nephew, niece and his sister had just finished singing happy birthday when they heard a loud noise.
‘”You f*cking Asians. You f*cking Asians. Trump is going to F you up,” Michael Lofthouse can be heard saying on video.
Orosa says none of them could believe Lofthouse was talking to them. He had not even noticed him sitting there prior to the encounter.
“Repeat what you said,” his niece Jordan said as she whipped out her phone and began recording.
“He did repeat it. He said it again…it was shocking,” Orosa told AsAmNews.
“I asked him ‘what’s wrong with you.’ He kept saying the same things.”
A “wonderful” waitress at Lucia, Gennica Cochran, asked him to leave, but Lofthouse refused and continued his tirade, according to Orosa.
Other patrons in the restaurant supported the waitress, including a table of White customers to the side of Lofthouse and another Asian couple right behind him.
“‘Enough is enough. You have to leave now,”‘ Orosa recalls the Asian couple saying.
At that point Orosa says another waitress and manager intervened and insisted that Lofthouse leave. They escorted him out of the restaurant and through the Bernadus Spa and Lodge lobby to the parking lot.
“It’s like one big family helping us .That is such an amazing feeling.”
“They were all around him, not holding him, but around him, asking him to leave now. He’s no longer welcomed.
“I can’t express how thankful I am,” Orosa continued. “I’m amazed at their ability to protect their clients and family. It’s great. You can just tell what sort of leaders their company has . What they teach their people.”
A White patron later approached the Orosa-Chan table and lent his support.
“‘That shouldn’t have happened. I’m sorry you experienced that,”‘ Orosa recalls the man saying.
He’s overwhelmed by all the love that’s been directed his way since his encounter.
“Despite one bad apple, there’s so many good people around who will help you. As long as we all help each other the way they did, we can have a loud voice without any violence. It’s like one big family help us. That’s such an amazing feeling.”
Lofthouse has not reached out to the Orosa Chan’s directly to apologize. On social media, he has continued his tirade.
To the media, Lofthouse issued this statement:
“My behavior in the video is appalling. This was clearly a moment where I lost control and made incredibly hurtful and divisive comments. I would like to deeply apologize to the Chan family. I can only imagine the stress and pain they feel. I was taught to respect people of all races, and I will take the time to reflect on my actions and work to better understand the inequality that so many of those around me face every day.”
The Orosas have sent the restaurant staff flowers to show their appreciation. As for Lofthouse, Orosa has this to say.
“I’d ask him why. What is it that we did to offend him so much that we need to be out of this planet?”
Orosa says he forgives him, but wants him to be responsible for his actions and never do it again.
“I don’t wish him ill. There’s still good out there. They cannot generalize what can happen by one bad event.”
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Wow. Now that’s compassion at work. From the family to staff to other customers. Heartwarming. Thank you. It is what we need amidst so much negativity right now.
Good. Make that red neck even more red. Make that angry bird angrier.