Sudden arena idea angers, unnerves Philadelphia’s Chinatown

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Wei Chen wants people who visit Philadelphia’s Chinatown to look through the community’s gateway arch and see the residents chatting in Mandarin on the steps to the apartments above or the vendors selling traditional Chinese food to families walking by, not a giant Philadelphia 76ers arena a block away. “These apartments are […]

Chinatowns more vibrant after pandemic, anti-Asian violence

The last week of April was a whirlwind for San Francisco’s Chinatown. The storied neighborhood debuted the “AAPI Community Heroes Mural,” a mostly Black and white depiction of 12 mostly unsung Asian American and Pacific Islander figures on the wall of a bank. Three days later “Neon Was Never Brighter,” the first ever Chinatown contemporary […]

S.J. formally apologizes to Chinese community for its history of anti-Chinese policies and discrimination

“This is a resolution of the Council of the City of San Jose apologizing to Chinese immigrants and their descendants for acts of fundamental injustice and discrimination,” Mayor Sam Liccardo read to the dozens of Chinese Americans, allies and public officials gathered in downtown on Sept. 29. The resolution, passed unanimously by the city council […]

Lawmaker announces $26.5 million in state funding for new arts center in S.F. Chinatown

Assemblymember Phil Ting, D-San Francisco, on July 15 announced he was able to secure $26.5 million in state funding for a new arts and media center in San Francisco’s Chinatown neighborhood. Ting, chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, said the new center, to be called Edge on the Square, would be a destination for visitors […]

Attacks on older Asians stoke fear as Lunar New Year begins

OAKLAND, Calif.  — Police have stepped up their patrols and volunteers are increasing their street presence after several violent attacks on older Asians stoked fear in San Francisco Bay Area Chinatowns and subdued the celebratory mood leading up to Lunar New Year. City officials also have visited Chinatowns in San Francisco and Oakland this week […]

COVID-19 test site opens in Oakland Chinatown with services in 12 languages

OAKLAND, Calif. — A multicultural community COVID-19 testing site offering services in a dozen Asian languages, including Chinese, Tagalog and Mongolian, conducted its first tests in Oakland’s Chinatown on Aug. 18, community leaders said. The testing site in Madison Park at 810 Jackson St. is open to everyone whether or not someone identifies as Asian […]

SF: Police arrest 2nd suspect connected to July Chinatown robbery that injured 2

San Francisco police on Jan. 24 announced that they had arrested a second suspect connected to a violent Chinatown robbery back in July that left two men injured. On Jan. 22, officers arrested 20-year-old Akeem Smith of Sacramento on suspicion of battery, assault, robbery and elder abuse. Smith was already being held in Alameda County […]

Name of Burnett Middle School to change amid claims of racism; ‘Korematsu’ one of seven finalists

SAN JOSE — Burnett Middle School in San Jose will vote to change its name this week following a controversy over its current namesake, Peter Burnett, who championed racist policies as the first governor of California from 1849 to 1851. Community members began the process of removing Burnett’s name from the school in February, citing […]

Edwin Lee remembered fondly as S.F. mayor and activist

News of San Francisco Mayor Edwin Mah Lee’s death spread quickly early the morning of Dec. 12. Lee collapsed while shopping for groceries late Dec. 11 and was rushed to Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital before he was pronounced dead at 1:11 a.m. He was 65. California Sen. Dianne Feinstein eulogized Lee during the Dec. […]

Coalition opposes Athletics’ plan to build new stadium

OAKLAND, Calif. — A coalition of neighborhood groups, small business owners and Laney College students and faculty said Sept. 19 that it opposes the Oakland Athletics’ plan to build a new baseball stadium near Laney. Members of the “Stay the Right Way Coalition” said at a news conference and rally that the project, which they […]