Motivated by the combined impacts of COVID-19, the rise in anti-Asian racism, and gentrification on Chinatowns across North America, organizers from 18 Chinatowns met recently in Vancouver at the Chinatown Solidarity Conference to discuss ways to revitalize their economies while preserving their communities.
The conference emphasized three primary factors harming Chinatowns; economic decline, gentrification and public safety. All of these issues worsened during the pandemic.
The conference aimed to address the full breadth of issues facing Chinatowns. Attendees came from 50 chambers of commerce, law enforcement, social service providers museums, advocacy groups, local governments and others.
It was difficult for small, Asian-owned businesses to survive, and with continuing issues with crime and gentrification, they are struggling to recover. Many businesses closed during the pandemic.
They are often replaced by larger chains and non-Asian-owned businesses.
Public safety in Chinatowns has been deeply impacted by the pandemic. The increase in crime and poverty, and the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID shutdown has been documented. While the former affects Chinatowns similarly to other neighborhoods in the hearts of North American cities, the latter has put Chinatowns under greater pressure, which the conference argues requires special support.
“The pressures you face are not unique or imagined,” said the US Ambassador to Canada David Cohen. These Chinatowns have gained support from at least part of the Federal government, a promising sign that such support might come.
North America’s Chinatowns continue to suffer from crime, including a high rate of hate crime. On the positive side, the rate of anti-Asian hate crimes has been falling from it’s peak at the height of the pandemic.
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