Vigil mourns, honors victims of recent anti-Asian violence
Hundreds turn out for event Tuesday in Oakland’s Chinatown
OAKLAND >> With flickering candles and folded paper cranes, bouquets of flowers and signs held aloft, hundreds of people gathered Tuesday night in the city’s Madison Park to express their sorrow over the killing of eight people a week ago in the Atlanta area, including six Asian American women — and to share their resolve that such tragedies must come to an end nationwide.
In the heart of Chinatown, performers in the park beat Korean drums and celebrants lit honorary fires, and a single red lantern was sent soaring aloft south from the park and over Eighth Street.
For Peggy Saika, an Oakland resident and thirdgeneration Japanese American, the From Oakland to Atlanta vigil was a way to build “solidarity moments” among the community as a recent spate of hate crimes against Asian Americans — ranging from unprovoked physical attacks to robberies to murders — has sparked fear, outrage and reflection across the country.
“You know, it certainly is about anti-hate, but it’s such a feeling of community and the kind of solidarity that exists between so many different kinds of communities,” Saika said in an interview at the park.
“How joyful it is to come to something like this that is acknowledging the horrendous moment in our country, and for all of us? But it’s also such a feeling of love and appreciation,” she said.
“To be together like this, it’s really important for us.”
The Bay Area has seen a wave of recent crimes against Asian Americans, including the death of a 75-year-old Oakland man after he was attacked on the street during a morning walk and the violent robbery of a 69-year-old woman in Daly City.
In the past week, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris condemned hate against Asians during a stop in Atlanta. California Gov. Gavin Newsom did the same while speaking in San Francisco’s Chinatown.
Local and federal elected officials also staged recent, well-attended rallies earlier this month protesting episodic anti-Asian hate.
According to a report from the organization Stop AAPI Hate, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have reported nearly 3,800 hate incidents nationwide in the past 12 months, with hundreds of them coming in just the first two months of 2021.
“You know, I’ve been feeling just a lot of pain and grief after the shootings, and also seeing people continuing being attacked here in Oakland,” Ginger Jui, the executive director of Bike East Bay, said during an interview at the vigil.
Jui said the pandemic also has added to the strain of people looking to share their anguish, anger and love with one another.
“I mean, I’ve been crying every day … and not having a lot of community to do that with. You know, we’re working from home and being isolated, so it was just so important to come out here and be with people who look like me,” Jui said.
“I think my favorite part was the drumming and being able to get out all of the grief I’ve been holding inside me, and being able to laugh, you know,” Jui said. “Finally being able to laugh with people.”
As the vigil came to a close, Asians With Attitude member and San Jose resident Jimmy Bounphengsy stood with a small group of friends and gathered his thoughts.
“I wanted to pay respects to the victims who got murdered in Atlanta, Georgia. I just came back from Atlanta as well,” he said. “I flew out there on Thursday, and went to the rally. That’s what brought me here today.”
In a low but clear monotone, Bounphengsy spoke frankly about the recent draining events, as well as his own drive to serve and represent vulnerable communities under threat: “It’s really tiring, to be honest with you. I don’t really get that much sleep. … The people are depending on you, and that’s why I go all out. I’m going full force right now.
“It makes you feel good when everybody comes together in unity, like you’re just showing love and support and no matter where you were, what city, what state you’re at, like, the people are here for one another. When you got different nationalities, different races coming all together as one … today was a good vibe.”