This New LA Bake Sale Seeks To Combat Anti-Asian Violence

With the dramatic increase in anti-Asian hate crimes enveloping the country — which have been estimated to have risen by 1900% since the beginning of the pandemic, and observed in San Francisco, New York City, and Los Angeles — Emily Koh knew she had to act.

“This last year has been the most testing and challenging for anyone working in service and hospitality,” wrote Koh on Instagram. “I often found myself seconds away from walking out due to the heightened frustration from a global pandemic, lack of government oversight and support, poor infrastructure and working conditions for this industry as a whole, and every little thing in between.”

So what did the co-founder of natural wine and DJ pop-up Pinkies Up do? She immediately reached out to her friend, Keegan Fong of Woon, to organize a city-wide bake sale.

“When Emily texted me about interest in hosting this bake sale the answer was, ‘duh,’” Fong told us over email. “I had actually just finished watching a bunch of videos of Anti-Asian violence the night before and it made me sick to my stomach. As Asian-American business owners, it’s our responsibility to make people aware of what’s happening in our community. We are the spokespeople for who we represent. If it’s not for us to do something about it then who the hell else will?”

photo credit: Krystal Thompson

And thus, the Pinkies Up x Woon Bake Sale Against Anti-Asian Violence was born. On Sunday, March 7th, Koh and Fong, along with 18 other bakers including Fat & Flour, Chainsaw, Valerie Confections, Nunchi, Sqirl, Doubting Thomas, and Konbi will participate in the bake sale, with 100% of the proceeds going towards organizations fighting against anti-Asian violence like API Equality — Northern California (APIENC), Asian Prisoner Support Committee, the Asian Law Caucus, and others.

“The concept of a bake sale is such a pure, community-driven effort that is as nostalgic and timeless as a lemonade stand,” said Koh. “I think something like this bake sale is its own act of protest in the way that it responds to the Anti-Asian violence happening in our communities by organizing together with something literally so sweet.”

The bake sale is walk-up only, and will take place on Woon’s outdoor patio on Temple St. from 10am-2pm. It will operate on a first-come, first-served basis with only cash and Venmo accepted as forms of payment.

For more information on how to support the Asian American community in LA, click here.

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