SF hate crime victims support families of Atlanta shooting

Photos & Story by Louis Chan, AsAmNews National Correspondent

Survivors of two elderly San Franciscans who died in hate crimes called for healing Saturday following the Atlanta shooting.

Monthanus Ratanapakdee, daughter of  Vicha Ratanapakdee, and Sasanna Yee, Granddaughter of Yik Oi Huang, joined some 500 people at a rally in San Francisco’s Portsmouth Square in Chinatown.

Ratanapakdee, 84, died when a young man ran up to him and shoved him hard to the ground-causing him to hit his head on the pavement in January.

Two months later, his daughter says she’s still hurting.

“I’m still having nightmares,” said Monthanus to AsAmNews. “I’m not in a good state, but I want to raise awareness to stop hate crimes. My condolences to all the victim’s families(in Atlanta).”

Yik Oi Huang died from her injuries in January of last year 12 months after being attacked near her San Francisco home.

“I show up time and time again to be with community because it’s healing,” said Yee. “I cannot hold this pain by myself. This (hate crimes) began way before COVID.”

Throughout the rally, families were invited to scrawl messages on the concrete using water-based paint. Others wrote letters to the victims and still others built kites.

Organizers encouraged attendees to begin the healing process by sharing their thoughts briefly to the crowd.

Ashlyn So, a 13-year-old fashion designer out of nearby San Mateo, spoke passionately.

“I wish I was there to stop the hit on Vicha. We need to be the movement. We will be the change.”

Megan, a 15-year old followed So.

“I’m scared. I’m scared for my mom and sister,” she said. “The Asian community is grieving. We need your help now more than ever.”

The Chinese Progressive Association organized the rally with the support of Chinese for Affirmative Action, the New Breath Foundation and the Chinatown Youth Center.

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