
Since the beginning of the pandemic, hate crimes and other acts of violence against Asian communities have been spiking across the country. Earlier in February, 84-year-old Vicha Ratanapakdee was attacked and killed in SF. And in Oakland Chinatown, a 91-year-old man was viciously shoved to the ground. On the subway in Manhattan, 61-year-old Noel Quintana was randomly slashed in the face with a razor while on his way to work. And last month in Portland, more than a dozen Asian-owned businesses had their windows smashed. Reports have found that anti-Asian hate crimes have increased 1,900% since March 2020 - and in Oakland Chinatown, over the past three months, crime has increased by 25%. If you want to support, here are some Bay Area-based resources:
If you’re interested in local organizations that could use some financial support right now, check out these groups:
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Save Our Chinatowns, which originally started as a fundraiser in early 2020, now works to support local businesses in SF and Oakland Chinatowns.
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Good Good Eatz is an Oakland-based organization that supports food businesses across the city by donating to businesses in need, helping them apply for financial relief, and providing social media and marketing expertise.
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The Chinatown Community Development Center, which provides housing, workshops, and events for the SF Chinatown community, is currently accepting donations for their Feed + Fuel Chinatown campaign. In partnership with SF New Deal, funds will help provide hundreds of thousands of meals (from local restaurants) to Chinatown residents living in Single Room Occupancy housing.
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The Oakland Chinatown Chamber of Commerce supports and promotes businesses in Oakland Chinatown.
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Stop AAPI Hate is a reporting center founded by SF-based advocacy organization Chinese for Affirmative Action as a response to rising racism and xenophobia during the COVID-19 pandemic. The center tracks and responds to hate crimes and incidents of discrimination, harassment, and violence.
Other Ways You Can Help:
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Donate to the Oakland Chinatown Ambassador Program & Victims Fund, which is raising money for individuals and families affected by the recent increase in crime and assaults.
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Purchase merch from the Asian X Black X Unity collaboration by Good Good Eatz, Madow Futur, and Tarika Lewis.
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Continue to support Asian-owned restaurants by ordering takeout (directly from the restaurant when you can), being kind, and tipping well.
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Follow Asians 4 Black Lives to hear about upcoming rallies, marches, and vigils, more ways to donate, and how to stand in solidarity with both the Asian and Black communities.
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Report any hate crimes you might witness to Stop AAPI Hate using this link.