Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders recognized
The Yolo County Board of Supervisors passed a resolution proclaiming May 2023 as Asian American and Pacific Islander Month.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the history, culture and achievements of the United States. May was selected to celebrate the contributions of these communities because the first Japanese Americans arrived in the United States on May 17, 1843, and the first transcontinental railroad, which was completed with substantial contributions from Chinese immigrants, was completed on May 10, 1869.
“We recognize the great history achievements and diversity of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders and the systematic existing barriers to economic justice, health equity, educational attainment and personal safety experienced by many in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander community,” Supervisor Gary Sandy read from the resolution during Tuesday's board meeting.
“Yolo County will work to ensure all members of these communities, no matter their background, the language they speak or their beliefs, are treated with dignity, respect and equity,” he continued.
Sandy presented the resolution to Yolo County resident Lisa Yep-Salinas, who, like many Asian Americans, was the target of several racial attacks during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I would like to thank Gary Sandy, my supervisor, who is a great hero because I came to him when Asian American Pacific Islanders were under siege and he presented the resolution to the Board of Supervisors,” Salinas said.
Despite the significant contributions made by Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders to the United States, including to local, state and federal government and the armed forces, the community continues to face persistent racism, harassment and hate crimes, according to the resolution. Racism and violence against Asian Americans surged significantly following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February 2021, Sandy introduced a resolution that was unanimously approved, “condemning and combating racism, xenophobia and intolerance against Asian Americans and Pacific Islands. About a month later, a conference was held titled “Yolo Against Hate” to address the rise in anti-AAPI crimes. Yep-Salinas was featured as one of the panelists.
“They really took it to the next level,” Yep-Salinas said of Sandy and the board.
Yep-Salinas also took time to note the work other supervisors have taken to protect the AAPI community including Supervisor Jim Provenza calling the FBI, Anti-Defamation League and District Attorney to outline a system to protect Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and Supervisor Lucas Frerichs', who at the time was on the Davis City Council, work to make sure the resolution fit Davis.
“In less than 90 days, we passed 10 resolutions from school districts, city and county to protect and provide public safety for the AAPI community,” Yep-Salinas emphasized. “There is no other place in the nation that has achieved that.”
Yep-Salinas said the work of Sandy and the other supervisors gave hope to many in the AAPI community, who at the time were fearful and traumatized.
“Who are we in Yolo County? We speak English, Spanish, Korean, Vietnamese, Hmong, Thai, Punjabi, Hindi, Cambodian, Loatian and Mien,” Yep-Salinas said. “We are growing not only in Davis but in Woodland and West Sacramento, so please join us in celebrating.”