AAPI leaders respond to this week's shootings in Dallas, Louisiana and Minnesota

ASIAN/AMERICAN leaders joined the rest of the nation in expressing their heartfelt sadness following the horrendous police shootings that left five police officers dead and several more injured.

California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris

 “I pray for the officers who lost their lives tonight, for their grieving families and our law enforcement brothers and sisters in Dallas,” said California Attorney General Kamala Harris whose mother is Indian American and father is Black. “Last night’s unspeakable violence reminds me of these words from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr: “Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that. 

“Violence only increases distrust and anger. I know firsthand that the relationship of trust between law enforcement and the communities we are sworn to serve is reciprocal. We honor the courage and sacrifice of law enforcement as we continue the important national dialogue around reforming our criminal justice system.”

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee also shared his thoughts this morning.

San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee

“This morning our hearts are heavy following the recent violence that has impacted communities across the country. We can and must stand against violence–violence against young men of color, violence against law enforcement officers and violence against our communities as a whole. We need to come together, have meaningful conversations about change and work together towards peace.

“In these sad times, when it seems nearly everyday we are greeted by more killing and more reason to grieve, we must remember what is right and what gives us hope. It is the bold, but peaceful protestors in the Black Lives Matter movement across the country who seek a safer, more perfect union through speech, the many brave police officers — such as those in Orlando — who unselfishly rush to save lives, and our San Francisco police officers who showed this week that reforms can take hold and the sanctity of life can be upheld. ”

Prior to the sniper incident last night in Dallas, Asian American Advancing Justice called on law enforcement nationwide to deescalate the situation.

“With their deaths, more than 500 people have been killed by police in 2016, and as a nation, we must find immediate and effective solutions to address practices of racial profiling and excessive use of force by law enforcement officers. We are facing an epidemic of African American fathers, sons, mothers, and daughters who are dying at the hands of police in this country. It must stop.

"As the nation’s leading legal and civil rights voice rooted in Asian American communities, we stand together with communities of color in the fight to end systemic police brutality. As the facts of each case surface, we ask the U.S. Department of Justice to not only investigate the fatal shooting of Mr. Sterling but also to investigate the shooting and death of Mr. Castile.

“In addition, we call for state and federal government leaders to act swiftly and decisively to implement policies, procedures, and legislative actions that address racial bias and profiling, police misconduct, and end excessive police use of force.

“We need law enforcement to commit to tactics that de-escalate or disarm, not result in more loss of lives in our communities of color. We want to ensure the motto “to serve and protect” rings true for all of our communities.”

Bill Yoshino, Interim Executive Director of the Japanese American Citizens league issued this statement: 

"In 1982, a federal commission issued its report on the World War II incarceration of Japanese Americans. The report was titled Personal Justice Denied to remove the anonymity from an outrage perpetrated against a group. It happened to men, women, and children; people with names who lived ordinary, and for some, extraordinary lives.

"This title aptly describes the events of the past several days where the killing of two black men has again raised the specter of a society that continues to devalue black and brown lives. Alton Sterling, a black man, was killed by police in Baton Rouge, LA. Philando Castile, a black man, was killed by police in Falcon Heights, MN. The U.S. Department of Justice will investigate the killing of Sterling, and the Minnesota governor has called for a similar investigation in the killing of Castile.

"According to a database created by the Washington Post, 509 people have been shot and killed by police in the United States this year, over half of whom are people of color. Although we acknowledge and respect the difficult situations that law enforcement officials often find themselves in, we also question what appears to be an excessive use of deadly force, particularly against black men. JACL has stated before that it is impossible to understand these deaths outside the context of a society that rests upon deep foundations of anti-black racism; a society where structural racism works to economically, emotionally, and physically devastate people and communities of color.

"We must do better than to simply express outrage, as these expressions by themselves leave communities of color with the impression that racism and excessive force have no end. These communities will not tolerate it, nor should we. We cannot simply reiterate our emotions each time these incidents occur. JACL remains committed to the struggle for racial equity and will continue to work alongside our partners in the pursuit of institutional change because our own historic experience obligates us to do no less.

"The foregoing in no way diminishes the outrageous shootings in Dallas last evening where it is reported that 12 officers were shot, leaving 5 dead. Confronting racism in America does not conflict with an admiration for the courageous work of law enforcement officers who, in the face of danger, protect the public in a manner that respects the law. We mourn the passing of DART officer, Brent Thompson, and the other officers whose names are yet to be released."

Asian/American representatives in Congress also responded to the recent shootings in Dallas, Louisiana and Minnesota via their social media sites. 

Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Virginia, who is African/Filipino/American, issued this statement:

"Less than a month after the mass shooting of club goers in Orlando, the Nation has witnessed yet another mass shooting. This time the targeted victims were police officers, who put their lives on the line each and every day. Last night’s shooting is especially tragic in that this ruthless, coordinated attack occurred as Dallas police officers were seen interacting collegially with peaceful protesters – the type of interaction we strive to see between law enforcement and the communities they are sworn to protect.

“These senseless and inexplicable acts of violence are a painful reminder that we all must work harder on efforts to build trust between law enforcement and our communities. We are all someone's parent, child, and neighbor, and we must strive to see and respect the humanity in each other. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the fallen officers.”

Rep. Ted Lieu, D, Los Angeles, issued this statement:

“The killing and wounding of law enforcement officers in Dallas, and the wounding of civilians, were depraved, senseless, criminal acts. While we do not yet know much about all the possible shooters, this attack is a poignant reminder that our law enforcement officials put their lives on the line every time they put on a uniform. My grandfather was a police officer and I greatly respect the service and protection that law enforcement provides on a daily basis. My heart goes out to all those affected by this tragedy. As we continue to learn more, I urge my fellow Americans not to let these events divide our communities. Let us respond to hate with love, to violence with peace, and help heal our nation.”

(AsAm News and Views From the Edge contributed to this report.)

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'Hello' parody targets San Francisco's Mayor Ed Lee

AS SAN FRANCISCO rents soar, home prices are out of reach for the middle-class,  affordable housing is getting more out of reach in the neighborhoods that make up the character of this city, including homes for the newly arrive immigrants and elderly on limited incomes in Chinatown, South of Market (Filipino/American), the Mission, the Bayview -- throughout the City by the Bay.

Ed Lee, the first Asian/American mayor of San Francisco is under a lot scrutiny even though he won re-election easily last November. A lot of his former supporters, who backed him in previous elections because on his history as being an advocate for affordable housing, now see him as having caved in to the dollar-rich high-tech industry whose well-paid workers are willing to pay exhorbitant prices for closets (literally - some live in closets) much less a studio or a one-bedroom flat. 

As this ad that ran during the November election indicates - former allies are now Ed Lee's critics.

Everywhere you look in San Francisco yo see the building cranes building high-rise offices and condominiums raising the property values of those parcels within their vacinity.

The only way some projects are getting approved are through promises from the builders to include affordable housing. In S.F., "affordable housing" -- out of necessity -- means below market rate, which developers are loath to build because it reduces their profit margin.

Lee knows something has to be done to address the housing implosion. He has called for raising the affordable housing mitigation requirement from 12% to something higher. (In some newer projects, it has been as high as 40%.) 

A change in the inclusionary housing policy will require a ballot measure because the law is part of the city's charter. Lee is seeking a proposition for the November election this year.

"We want to do it in collaboration with the private sector," said Lee. 
What happens when the high-cost residences are constructed, landowners of adjacent parcels see the value of their properties rise and are no longer satisfied charging affordable rents and either evict their low-paying tenants in exchange for higher-paying new tenants,  or sell out to other developers who, in turn, build more expensive housing. The poor renter, is left out in the cold or they have leave the city.

We're not just talking about the poor, though they are the first to suffer, the higher cost of living in the city is impacting, the working poor and the what - in other cities - would consider middle-class occupations. We're talking about teachers, construction workers, nurses, bus drivers or all those secretaries and administrative assistants who work in the financial district.

San Francisco is not alone in facing this housing dilemma. There is a dire lack of affordable housing in all of America's urban areas, from Los Angeles to New York City, an issue no presidential candidate has yet to address. In the meantime, he has to put up with the critics who created his parody of Adele's "Hello."

Lyrics to the parody:
Hello, Ed Lee
I was hoping we could talk about a tale of two cities
And not the book, but reality
They say you started on our side
But you were bought and sold by greed

Hello, can you hear me?  
Has Ron Conway got your ear, planning his next big back room deal
Like more tax breaks or bus stops for free
I can’t help but count red carpets, are there any left for me?

Oh this city is filthy rich, yet there’s crisis in the streets

Hello from the other side
The Google bus don’t give no rides
And I don’t work for Twitter or Airbnb
So I’m struggling to stay here, I’m down on my knees,

Hello from the Mission
Ground zero for evictions
Where bus drivers, school teachers, the old and the young
Are fighting to hold on, we’re all on the run

Hello, Mayor Lee
I'm in San Francisco dreaming about how things used to be
When I could pay rent and eat
Can’t afford these here new condos cause I’m not some VIP

How do you sleep Ed, when this city is losing its heart and soul

Hello from Vallejo
This is just how far I had to go
Now I can pay my rent but my friends are all gone
I left my heart, wait, that’s someone else’s song

Hello from a city robbed
Self dealing cronies, inside job
SOS SF, home of the tech bourgeoisie?
Your “progress" is toxic, Mr. Mayor can’t you see? 

For more news about Asian/American &Pacific Islanders, read AsAm News.

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Asians in Politics: Tale of two cities

Ed Lee wins re-election in San Francisco.

THE RESULTS of the Nov. 3 off-year election put two Asian/American politicians from opposite coasts in the spotlight for entirely different reasons.

Ed Lee was easily reelected as Mayor of San Francisco, the propositions that he supported passed and the measures he opposed were rejected by the voters; so you would think he'd be riding high. His victories were offset by his single loss. One of his supervisors, Julie Christensen, lost to long-time critic and former president of the board of supervisors, Aaron Peskin. Peskin's victory could make Lee's next term a little rocky.

Peskin's upset of Christensen for the District 3 seat gives the progressives a 6-5 edge on the board of supervisors. During the campaign, he lost one of his top allies, power broker Rose Pak, who wanted him to endorse another candidate. 

The new majority among the 11 supervisors is more likely to temper Lee's efforts to woo more high-tech firms. It is also more likely to take positions that would slow or halt the gentrification of working class neighborhoods like the SoMa, the neighborhood where thousands of Filipinos have made their home, and Chinatown, supposedly Lee's base but where his candidate lost to one of his harshest critics.

RELATED: Filipino district proposed

Both those neighborhoods, along with the predominantly Latino Mission District, are under siege by developers and landlords who are eager to raise their rents, driving out the very people who make those neighborhoods unique.

The importance of affordable housing was evidenced by the passage of Proposition A, the affordable housing bond strongly supported by the mayor. It provides up to $310 million for below-market-rate housing for low- and middle-income residents.

RELATED: Chinatown fights gentrification

Lee, despite his personal history of fighting for tenants rights, was backed the traditional power brokers including the developers, the high-tech industry, Democratic Party, Sen. Dianne Feinstein and Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom. Peskin drew his broad-based support from organized labor and tenants' unions.

With the new Board of Supervisors, Lee will find it harder to find approval for his megaprojects that bring in loads of revenue to the city coffers. But a stronger emphasis will be put on protecting existing affordable housing, building more low-rent units. So expect developers to put up a howl when stronger conditions are put on them to add affordable housing to their projects.


The hurdles ahead for Lee can be in this quote, from Peskin: “It’s really about whether we are going to have a Board of Supervisors that is independent, that’s willing to stand up to the tech billionaires.”

Lewiston, Maine received the attention of Asian Americans when its mayor's race turned nasty.

Meanwhile, three-thousand miles away, in a city about as different from San Francisco as can be, mayoral candidate Ben Chin garnered the most votes but he didn't get enough win the mayorship of Lewiston, Maine. Underlying the mayoral contest was the question of race.

Chin, a Democrat running for mayor in Maine's second-largest city who was targeted last month with signs viewed widely viewed as racist, will face a runoff with the GOP incumbent on Dec. 8.

The 30-year-old, who is half-Chinese, was one of five candidates for mayor. As of early Wednesday morning, Chin had received 44 percent of the vote, according to the local newspaper, the Sun Journal. Incumbent Mayor Robert E. Macdonald received 37 percent. 

The Lewiston city charter says a runoff is needed when no candidate receives a majority of all votes. The runoff election is scheduled to take place on Dec. 8.

The mayor's race in Lewiston, (pop. about 36,000) grabbed national headlines when a McDonald supporter put up racist posters on buildings asking voters to "Don't vote for Ho Chi Chin," along with an image of a hammer and sickle. 

Ben Chin

Joseph Dunne, the property manager of Sullivan Property Management, which owns the buildings, told the Portland Press Herald he put up the signs because Chin had labeled him a "slumlord." when, as political director for Maine People's Alliance, issued a report last summer calling Dunne and two others "three of the city's worst landlords." 

Dunne later apologized and took down the signs saying the signs were intended to oppose Chin's policies.

Lewiston, a former mill town with a dying economy, is a small city undergoing a dramatic demographic change with the arrival of immigrants from Africa. The new residents are changing the complexion of the city with an Anglo-French heritage. By some estimates, 4,000 new immigrants have moved to Lewiston since 2001, and dozens are still arriving every month. Downtown still has the traditional pawnshops and bars, but scattered between them are stores catering to the immigrants. The public schools which were losing students for years saw a sudden spurt in enrollment. Local colleges like Andover College saw its enrollment increase  because incoming students preferred the diversity of the town over predominantly white college towns.

Lewiston, like several other small cities in the Northeast, are seeing their cities revived by the arrival of immigrants. And because they are relatively small, the immigrants' impact is greater than, say, in a city like San Francisco, which likes to tout its diversity.

Sure, change in cities like Lewiston is inevitable but the way its older residents react to the newcomers, will point the direction America will likely take in handling the growing diversity of its people.